ABSTRACT

The centuries following the collapse of the Roman Empire saw extraordinary change across Western Europe - in institutions, social structure, rural and urban life, religion, learning, scholarship and art. This innovative textbook provides students coming to the study of Early Medieval Europe for the first time with the conceptual and methodological tools to investigate the period for themselves. It identifies major research questions and historiographical debates and offers guidance on how to engage with and evaluate the major documentary sources and the evidence of art history and archaeology.

Ideally structured to support courses and classes in Medieval European history, the book's features include:

  • Over 50 carefully selected maps and illustrations accompanied by explanatory commentary
  • Detailed guidance on further reading with research questions to aid understanding
  • Timelines and maps to orientate the reader in each chapter
  • An extensive companion website providing practical study guidance, reference materials and access to further primary sources

Offering a road map to the rich written and non-written sources for this period, and the exciting recent scholarship, this book is an essential guide for any student wishing to gain a deeper level of understanding and greater confidence in creative and independent historical thought.

part |2 pages

PART I Introduction

chapter 1|10 pages

Why study this period?

part |2 pages

PART II Empire and peoples

chapter |3 pages

Introduction

chapter 3|26 pages

The making of peoples

chapter |2 pages

Conclusion

chapter |2 pages

Time-line: Part II

part |2 pages

PART III Power and society

chapter |3 pages

Introduction

chapter 6|21 pages

Kings, warriors, and women: personal power

chapter |2 pages

Conclusion

chapter |3 pages

Time-line: Part III

part |2 pages

PART IV The economic foundation

chapter |5 pages

Introduction

chapter 7|25 pages

Trade as a driving force?

chapter |2 pages

Conclusion

chapter |3 pages

Time-line: Part IV

part |2 pages

PART V The Church’s triumph

chapter |3 pages

Introduction

chapter 10|24 pages

Conversion to Christianity

chapter 11|20 pages

The success of monasticism

chapter 12|22 pages

The power of bishops and popes

chapter |2 pages

Conclusion

chapter |3 pages

Time-line: Part V

part |2 pages

PART VI Scholarship and art

chapter |2 pages

Introduction

chapter 13|13 pages

Scholarship and literature 309

chapter 14|14 pages

Art and architecture

chapter |2 pages

Conclusion

chapter |3 pages

Time-line: Part VI

part |2 pages

PART VII

chapter |3 pages

Conclusion

chapter |5 pages

Original sources