ABSTRACT

Imagining the Middle Ages is an unprecedented examination of the historical content of films depicting the medieval period from the 11th to the 15th centuries. Historians increasingly feel the need to weigh in on popular depictions of the past, since so much of the public's knowledge of history comes from popular mediums. Aberth dissects how each film interpreted the period, offering estimations of the historical accuracy of the works and demonstrating how they project their own contemporary era's obsessions and fears onto the past.

chapter 1|28 pages

The Holy Grail of Hollywood

King Arthur Films

chapter 2|33 pages

Lights! Camera! Pillage!

Viking Films

chapter 3|85 pages

God (and the Studio) Wills it!

Crusade Films

chapter 4|47 pages

Splendid in Spandex

Robin Hood Films

chapter 5|59 pages

Welcome to the Apocalyse

Black Death Films

chapter 6|42 pages

Movies and the Maid

Joan of Arc Films