ABSTRACT
T HE period of History with which this book is concerned has often been treated slightingly. It was, we are commonly told, a time of general decadence. The Middle Ages were passing away. The most characteristic and attractive features of medieval civilization were dis appearing ; medieval principles and ideals were ceasing to satisfy. And as yet no adequate substitutes had been found. Men’s minds had, as it were, lost their sense of direction. They could see neither stars nor landmarks. Hence the greater part of Europe became a welter of con fusion, in which the basest and most sordid motives impelled petty men to paltry actions. One bright patch indeed there was. Italy was illumined by the rays of the Renaissance, which towards the end of the fifteenth century began to shed a faint but increasing light on other lands. It was therefore Italy alone that really repaid the attention of the historian. Other countries might not indeed be ignored; but it seemed reasonable, only a few years ago, for the author of a very well-known history of Europe in the later Middle Ages to devote one quarter of his space to Italian affairs.
