A History of Medieval Europe – Europe During Medieval Times
Keen, Maurice
Praeger 1968 Dewey Dec. 940.1
“From the coronation of Charlemagne, in 800, to the close of the Council of Basle, in 1449, Europe, as never before or after, formed a single society. Latin Christendom in the Middle Ages can be thought of as having been a republic, with a common authority … [and] with unique spiritual outlook. Maurice Keen has written a valuable introduction to this period. Designed for the non-specialist, his history ranges over the political, social, and cultural make-up of medieval Europe.” -Publisher.
Ruling the Later Roman Empire
Kelly, Christopher
Belknap Press 2004 Dewey Dec. 936
“In this highly original work, Christopher Kelly paints a remarkable picture of running a superstate. He portrays a complex system of government openly regulated by networks of personal influence and the payment of money. Focusing on the Roman Empire after Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, Kelly illuminates a period of increasingly centralized rule through an ever more extensive and intrusive bureaucracy. The book opens with a view of its times through the eyes of a high-ranking official in sixth-century Constantinople, John Lydus. His On the Magistracies of the Roman State, the only memoir of its kind to come down to us, gives an impassioned and revealing account of his career and the system in which he worked. Kelly draws a wealth of insight from this singular memoir and goes on to trace the operation of power and influence, exposing how these might be successfully deployed or skillfully diverted by those wishing either to avoid government regulation or to subvert it for their own ends.” -Publisher.
Small Sound of the Trumpet: Women in Medieval Life
Labarge, Margaret Wade
Beacon 1986 Dewey Dec. 940.1
Describes the daily life of noblewomen, nuns, and peasants in feudal England and Europe. Looks at the treatment of lepers, beggars, prostitutes, and criminals, and offers brief profiles of prominent medieval women.
Contents: Ch. 1. The Precursors — Ch. 2. The Mould for Medieval Women — Ch. 3. Women who Ruled: Queens — Ch. 4. Women who Ruled: Noble Ladies — Ch. 5. Women who Prayed: Nuns and Beguines — Ch. 6. Women who Prayed: Recluses and Mystics — Ch. 7. Women who Toiled: Townswomen and Peasants — Ch. 8. Women as Healers and Nurses — Ch. 9. Women on the Fringe — Ch. 10. Women’s Contributions to Medieval Culture.
The Birth of Europe
Le Goff, Jacques
Blackwell 2005 Dewey Dec. 940.1
“In this book, French historian Jacques Le Goff places the genesis of Europe firmly in the Middle Ages. He contends that it was in the Middle Ages that many of the institutions and beliefs we consider to be “European” were defined and developed for the first time: ideas about a common Christian society, public spaces, courtship, and marriage. The Birth of Europe presents the historical facts and events that shaped the period, but also the formation of attitudes and concepts of a European “dream.”” -Book jacket.
Young Medieval Women – Medieval History Books PDF
Lewis, Katherine J. et al., eds.
St. Martin’s 1999 Dewey Dec. 940.1
Eight essays. Primarily looking at the 14th and 15th centuries in England, the studies cover prostitution, Joan of Arc, the representation of young women in the Malterer Embroidery, rape in medieval literature, queen-making during the Wars of the Roses, female wardship, virgin martyrs, and maidenhood as the “perfect age of a woman’s life.”
Contents: Maidenhood as the perfect age of woman’s life / Kim M. Phillips — Model Girls? Virgin-martyrs and the training of young women in late Medieval England / Katherine J. Lewis — Crowns and virgins: queenmaking during the Wars of the Roses / Joanna L. Chamnberlayne — A positive representation of the power of young women: the malterer embroidery re-examined / Kristina E. Gouralay — Rape in John Gower’s Confessio amantis and other related works / Isabelle Mast — Joan of Arc: gender an authority in the text of the Trial of condemnation / Lilas G. Edwards — Female wards and marriage in romance and law: a question of consent / Noël James Menuge — Pigs and prostitutes: streetwalking in comparative perspective / P.J.P. Goldberg.
The Atlas of World History: The Dark Ages
McEvedy, Colin and Sarah
MacMillan 1972 Dewey Dec. 936
“In 400 A.D. most of the world’s 200 million people lived in the broad agricultural belt extending from Europe through Persia and India to China. Pressing on the edges of the civilized world were some three million nomads. In this historical atlas 41 maps in color, many illustrations and concise text follow the fortunes of the Byzantine, Persian, Indian and Chinese empires during the next six centuries. The book also covers the Viking voyages of plunder and transatlantic exploration, the creation of Charlemagne’s Frankish kingdom and the evolution of England from Roman Britain. Europe seemed to have slipped back into barbarism following the fall of Rome, but by 1000 A.D. the nations of present-day Europe had emerged—and with them the foundations of modern society.” -Publisher.
Europe in the High Middle Ages, 1150-1309
Mundy, John H.
Basic 1973 Dewey Dec. 940.1
A broad survey of European history between 1150-1309 in which discussion (on a regional or continent-wide basis) of social, economic, administrative and intellectual themes is woven into a framework of political events.
Contents: Part 1 Europe – Social frontiers: clerks and laymen – Cultural frontiers: France, Italy and Europe – Crusades and missions – The Jews – Part 2 Economy – Foundation and growth – Organization – Usury and corporatism – Part 3 Society – Women and men – Workers and farmers – Nobles and the military – Ecclesiastics – Part 4 Government – The Church – The greater monarchies – Princes, senates and assemblies – Princes, villages and towns – Republics – Government and law – Part 5 Thought – Intellectuals – Reason and religion – Enthusiasm and heresy – Repression – Part 6 1300 – Church, state and society – Unam sanctam.
The Black Death
Nardo, Don
Greenhaven 1999 Dewey Dec. 936
“The worst pandemic in recorded history, it is estimated that the Black Death infected two in three Europeans, resulting in the deaths of around 25 million, or a third of the population of the continent. Author Don Nardo explores the complex moral, economic, and scientific implications of the Black Death. Chapters facilitate critical conversations from diverse perspectives to provide a broad understanding of the plague, including the origin of the disease, the hysteria and panic that consumed entire populations, the effects to the economy and culture of the areas affected, and recurrences of plague in later ages.” -Publisher.
Medieval Children
Orme, Nicholas
Yale Univ. 2001 Dewey Dec. 305.23
“This is a history of children in England from Anglo-Saxon times to the sixteenth century – the first of its kind.” “Starting at birth, it shows how they were named and baptized, and traces the significance of birthdays and ages. This leads to an account of family life, including upbringing, food, clothes, sleep and the plight of the poor. The misfortunes of childhood are chronicled, from disablement, abuse, and accidents to illness, death, and beliefs about children in the afterlife.”- Book jacket.
The Age of Reform 1250-1550: An Intellectual and Religious History of Late Medieval and Reformation Europe – Europe During Medieval Times
Ozment, Steven
Yale University 1980 Dewey Dec. 940.1
“Ozment’s masterly synthesis of the intellectual and religious history of the period 1250-1550 clarifies the impact of late medieval ideas on early modern society. Its appeal derives from its breadth of scholarship and clarity of style. Ozment reviews the current state of research on late medieval intellectual history, explicates the basic ideas of the scholastic, spiritual, and ecclesio-political traditions, and analyzes the impact of these on Protestant reformers.” -Choice.
The Last Apocalypse: Europe at the Year 1000 A.D.
Reston, James Jr.
Anchor 1999 Dewey Dec. 940.1
“Through Reston’s brilliant narrative and engaging portraits of the unforgettable historical characters who embodied the struggle for the soul of Europe, students are introduced to a pivotal period in history during which an old order was crumbling, and terrifying, confusing new ideas were gaining hold in the populace. From the righteous fury of the Viking queen Sigrid the Strong-Minded, who burned unwanted suitors alive; to the brilliant but too-cunning Moor, al-Mansur the Illustrious Vict∨ to the aptly named English king Ethelred the Unready; to the abiding genius of the age, Pope Sylvester II–warrior kings and concubine empresses, maniacal warriors and religious zealots bring this stirring period to life.” -Publisher.
The Crusades: A Short History – Medieval History Books PDF
Riley-Smith, Jonathan
Yale University 1987 Dewey Dec. 940.1
A comprehensive history of the Crusades: an account of the theology of violence behind the Crusades, the major Crusades, the experience of crusading, and the crusaders themselves.
Contents: The birth of the Crusade movement: The preaching of the First Crusade — The course of the First Crusade — The holy places and the Catholic patriarchates of Jerusalem and Antioch — Settlement, government and defence of the Latin East, 1097-1187 — Crusading in adolescence, 1101-1187 — Crusading at its height, 1187-1229 — Crusading reaches maturity, 1229-1291 — The Latin East, 1192-1291 — The variety of Crusading, 1291-1523 — The old age and death of the Crusading movement, 1523-1798.
Medieval Women and the Sources of Medieval History
Rosenthal, Joel T., ed.
University of Georgia 1990 Dewey Dec. 940.1
“Because the records of medieval society were written largely by men and about men, scholars have often assumed that the means for recovering a full picture of the women of that society are simply not available. As this book makes clear, however, the collections of medieval source material contain much more than initially meets the eye. The fifteen essays assembled in ‘Medieval Women and the Sources of Medieval History’ show that familiar sources can be read in new ways to uncover previously obscured information about the status and roles of women in the social, political, economic, and religious life of medieval Europe.” -Publisher.
People, Politics, and Community in the Later Middle Ages
Rosenthal, Joel and Colin Richmond, eds.
St. Martin’s 1987 Dewey Dec. 940.1
This book contains a collection of papers focusing on fifteenth-century England, presented at the International Congress on Medieval Studies at Western Michigan University in May 1985, and at a symposium at University of Keele in July 1986.
Contents: The Rising of 1497: a revolt of the peasantry? – Careerism in late medieval England – William Waynflete and the educational revolution of the fifteenth century – Fluid prejudice: Scottish origin myths in the later middle ages – Cheshiremen at Blore Heath: A swan dive – The pre-episcopal career of William Alnwick, Bishop of Norwich and Lincoln – Religious gilds and regulation of behavior in late medieval towns – The household as a religious community – Law and arbitration in Nottinghamshire 1399-1461 – Kings, continuity and ecclesiastical benefaction in 15th century England – A conflict of interest? Chancery clerks in private service.
The Middle Ages : A Very Short Introduction
Rubin, Miri
Oxford University 2014
From the provinces of the Roman Empire, which became Barbarian kingdoms after c.450-650, to the northern and eastern regions that became increasingly integrated into Europe, Rubin explores the emergence of a truly global system of communication, conquest, and trade by the end of the era. Presenting an insight into the challenges of life in Europe between 500-1500 — at all levels of society — Rubin looks at kingship and family, agriculture and trade, groups and individuals. Conveying the variety of European experiences, while providing a sense of the communication, cooperation, and shared values of the pervasive Christian culture, Rubin looks at the legacies they left behind.
Byzantium : A Very Short Introduction
Sarris, Peter
Oxford University 2015
After surviving the fifth century fall of the Western European Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire flourished as one of the most powerful economic, cultural, and military forces in Europe for a thousand years. In this Very Short Introduction Peter Sarris introduces the reader to the unique fusion of Roman political culture, Greek intellectual tradition and Christian faith that took place in the imperial capital of Byzantium under the emperor Constantine and his heirs. Using examples from Byzantine architecture, art and literature, Sarris shows how their legacy was re-worked and re-invented in the centuries ahead, in the face of external challenges and threats.
Kings And Vikings; Scandinavia and Europe, A.D. 700-1100
Sawyer, P.H.
Routledge 1982 Dewey Dec. 940.1
A general survey of the subject.
Contents: The age of the Vikings: an introductory outline — The twelfth century — Contemporary sources — Scandinavian society — Scandinavia and Europe before 900 — The raids in the west — Conquests and settlements in the west — The Baltic and beyond — Pagans and Christians — Conclusion: kings and pirates.
The Making of the Middle Ages – Europe During Medieval Times
Southern, R.W.
Yale University 1953 Dewey Dec. 940.1
“R. W. Southern presents an absorbing study of the main personalities and the influences that molded the history of Western from the late tenth to the early thirteenth century – the formative of modern Western civilization. He describes the chief forms of social, political, and religious organization, analyzing a wealth of concrete, highly significant episodes. As perhaps no other book, this volume recaptures the experience and the individual conscience of the men who guided “the making Of the Middle Ages.” -Publisher
Contents: Latin Christendom and its neighbours — The bonds of society — The ordering of the Christian life — The tradition of thought — From epic to romance.
Anglo-Saxon England – Medieval History Books PDF
Stenton, F.M.
Clarendon 1943 Dewey Dec. 940.1
Contents: Age of the migration – Kingdoms of the southern English – Anglian Northumbria – Conversion of the English peoples – The English church from Theodore to Boniface – Learning and literature in early England – Ascendency of the Mercian kings – Age of Alfred – Structure of early English society – Conquest of Scandinavian England – Decline of the old English monarchy – England and the Scandinavian world – Tenth-century reformation – England before the Norman conquest – Last years of the old English state – Norman conquest – Norman settlement – Reorganization of the English church – Epilogue: The Anglo-Norman state.
A Source Book for Medieval History: Selected documents illustrating the history of Europe in the Middle Age
Thatcher, Oliver J. et al, eds.
Scribner’s Sons 1905 Dewey Dec. 940.1
Contains 325 brief selections dealing mainly with the empire and the papacy but also with feudalism, medieval law, monasticism, and the crusades.
“Our purpose in general has been to present material touching only what may be called the most important matters (persons, events, movements, institutions, and conditions) of the whole medieval period. We have not tried to make a complete source-book for the period, but only to offer in usable form illustrative material which may be of service to both teacher and student in general or information Each is meant to illustrate or illumine one particular thing.” -Editor’s Preface.
Romans and Barbarians: the Decline of the Western Empire
Thompson, E.A.
University of Wisconsin 1982 Dewey Dec. 940.1
Examines the fall of the Roman Empire in the West from the barbarian perspective and experience. Standard interpretations of the decline of the Roman Empire in the West view the barbarian invaders as destroyers. Thompson, however, argues that the relationship between the invaders and the invaded was far more complex than the common interpretation would suggest.
Contents: Introduction: Economic Warfare – Part 1: Gaul – The Settlement Of the Barbarians in Southern Gaul – The Visigoths from Fritigern to Euric – Part Il: Italy – A.D. 476 and After – The Byzantine Conquest Of Italy; Military Problems – The Byzantine Conquest of Italy: Public Opinion – Part Ill: Noricum – The End of Noricum – Part IV: Spain – Hydatius and the Invasion Of Spain – The Suevic Kingdom of Galicia – The Gothic Kingdom and the Dark Age Of Spain – Spain and Britain – Barbarian Collaborators and Christians.
Medieval Technology and Social Change
White, Lynn Jr.
Oxford University 1978 Dewey Dec. 940.1
“‘Medieval Technology and Social Change’ examines the role of technological innovation in the rise of social groups during the Middle Ages. The feudal nobles achieved their status, institutions, and even distinctive emotions through a sudden mutation in methods of warfare during the early eighth century. Between the sixth and tenth centuries a cluster of inventions profoundly altered peasant life in Northern Europe, and by increasing food supplies provided the basis for urbanization. In the new cities, craftsmen and engineers applied natural power and labor-saving devices to industrial production from the year 1000 onward and laid the foundations of capitalism.” -Publisher.
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000
Wickham, Chris
Viking 2009 Dewey Dec. 936
“The Inheritance of Rome is a work of remarkable scope and ambition. Drawing on a wealth of new material, it is a book that will transform readers’ ideas about the crucible in which Europe would in the end be created. From the collapse of the Roman imperial system to the establishment of the new European dynastic states, this book’s most striking achievement is to make sense of a time where many generations of Europeans experience invasion and turbulence, but also long periods of continuity, creativity and achievement. From Ireland to Constantinople, from the Baltic to the Mediterranean, this is a genuinely Europe-wide history of a new kind.” -Publisher.
In Search of the Dark Ages – Medieval History Books PDF
Wood, Michael
Facts on File 1987 Dewey Dec. 936
“Once paid little interest by scholars, the Dark Ages are now viewed as a formative period in the history of Britain, one that not only determined the fate of the country, but also influenced world events for the centuries that followed this era. Written by Michael Wood, an expert in early Anglo-Saxon history and host of the classic BBC TV In Search Of… series, this volume is a readable reference on the period spanning the Roman invasion of Britain to the Norman conquest of the eleventh century. Photographs of artifacts and ruins and helpful maps complement a highly engaging narrative to describe the astonishing discoveries about the key events of the era and the people who lived through them.” -Publisher
Contents: Boadicea — King Arthur — The Sutton Hoo man — Offa — Alfred the Great — Athelstan — Eric Bloodaxe — Ethelred the Unready — William the Conqueror.