I am probably getting way too caught up in details for some of my mapping applications, but I really prefer to be in the ballpark of realism when I can. As such, for city maps I am trying to figure some rough and ready population density numbers.

Does anyone have a good source specifically for city / urban areas in any country, from say the 1000's to the 1600's? I found these on the same site, but they seem to contradict each other and my google foo failed to turn up much else useful.

http://www.demographia.com/dm-lon31.htm

http://demographia.com/db-lonuza1680.htm

I am aware of Medieval Demographics Made Easy, but many have cast doubts on the numbers there and just doing some round math on his city density numbers seem off. Using his estimates versus real population data, London would be 30% more dense than a "very crowded city" of the time (and that is with generous rounding in his favor).

Even if it is a physical book that I need to go purchase, any references are appreciated.

- Ernie