The European World, 400-1450

by Hanawalt, Barbara A.

• ISBN13: 9780195178449
• ISBN10: 0195178440
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-05-26
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

As the Roman Empire began to crumble and lose its long-held dominance over Europe, new civilizations were emerging to fill the void. Germanic tribes like the Goths, the Franks, and the Vandals, as well as the Huns and Visigoths all fought for control of the land. Christianity became a moreacceptable religion throughout Europe, while the Islamic religion was born in the Middle East and quickly spread, eventually making its way into Europe. The blending and conflict of cultures and beliefs helped to create what we now call the Middle Ages. Fascinating new characters were also rising in Europe like the emperor and empress of the Byzantine Empire Justinian and Theodoraambitious leaders who made one final push to recapture the west and regain the past glory of the Roman Empire. Meanwhile in the west Charlemagne had come to power bycrowning himself emperor. A popular leader he spent much of his time travelling through his land on horseback accompanied by an entourage that often included an elephant! Vikings from Scandinavia began raiding parts of Europe until eventually they were stopped by Alfred the king of Wessex in England. By 1066, however, the Scandinavians got their revenge when William the Conqueror invaded England and took over. Filled with intrigue, conflict, power struggles, and colorful characters and based on primary source materials Barbara Hanawalt's The European World is an adventure at every turn. From Attila the Hun to Joan of Arc, from the fall of Rome to the Plague this pivotal moment in history comesalive.

Author Biography

Barbara A. Hanawalt is a specialist in the English medieval social history. Hanawalt has published extensively in various scholarly journals and collections of essays. Her books include Crime and Community in Medieval England, 1300-1348 (1979), The Ties That Bound: Peasant Families in Medieval England (1986), Growing Up in Medieval London: The Experience of Childhood in History (1993); Of Good and Ill Repute: Gender and Social Control in Medieval England (1999); The Wealth of Wives: Women, Law, and the Economy in Late Medieval London (2007). In addition, she edited seven volumes of essays dealing with diverse topics in medieval studies.

Table of Contents

Cast of Characters	9	(5)
Map of the European World, 400-1450	14	(2)
Introduction: What Were the Middle Ages in the Middle Of?	16	(4)
Believers and Barbarians: The End of the Roman Empire	20	(14)
Constantine Goes Christian
Barbarians at the Gates!
A Roman Eyewitness, Account of Vibia Perpetua's Death, 203	21	(13)
Surrounded By ``A Sea of Tribes'': Europe Becomes Christian	34	(12)
Let's Be Frank
Papa and the Venerable Bede
Mysterious Deaths in Marseilles: Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks, 6th century	45	(1)
Three Empires: Justinian, Charlemagne, and Muhammad	46	(14)
Charlemagne Reigns!
Muhammad and a New Faith
Omens Foretell an Emperor's Death: Einhard, Life of Charlemagne, around 829-836	55	(5)
A Good Knight's Work: War and Feudalism	60	(13)
Swat! Vikings Defeat Charles the Fat
22 Oxen Will Buy You a Knight
The Villein of the Story
Count Roland's Last Stand: An Anonymous Frenchman, The Song of Roland, mid-11th century	64	(9)
Battle and Barter: From the Norman Conquest to the Rise of Trade	73	(13)
Gregory Wins Popular Vote
Go East, People
The Conquered and Their Conqueror: English Monks, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, around 874-1187	76	(10)
Worlds in Collision: The Reconquista and the Crusades	86	(12)
Cross of the Sword
Crusade, Take One
An Arabic Cry to Arms against Crusaders: Al-Ahir, Account of the First Crusade, 12th century	93	(5)
Ladies, Lovers, and Lifestyles: The Flowering of Medieval Culture	98	(13)
Love Conquers All (Unless Your Name Is Abelard)
Play Nice and Share Your Trencher
Romance in the Earl's Dining Hall: An English Noble, Blonde of Oxford, 13th century	102	(9)
Rulers and Rebels: Royal Authority and Ambition in England, France, and Germany	111	(12)
Order in the Courts!
Talk Among Yourselves
Thugs in the Cathedral: William fitzStephen, Life of Thomas a Becket, 1173-1175	116	(7)
Empire on Earth, Kingdom of Heaven: Politics, Popes, and Religious Conflicts	123	(12)
Sink or Swim
Friar, Friar
A Saint Salutes the Sun: Saint Francis of Assisi, ``Song of Brother Sun,'' 13th century	132	(3)
High Ideals and Low Maneuvers: The Rise of Universities and the Decline of the Papacy	135	(13)
Students Beg to Go to School
A King for All and All For the Pope
A Merchant's Adventures in Central Asia: Marco Polo, Travels, 1298	144	(4)
Matters of Life and Death: Famine, Plague, and War	148	(13)
Ratus Ratus Strikes Again
Tinker, Tailor, Peasant, Rebel
``The Just Wrath of God'': Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron, 1353	152	(9)
The End of the Old and the Beginning of the New: The Middle Ages Gives Way to the Renaissance	161	(13)
Joan of Arc to the Rescue
Money Makes the Church Lose Ground
Learned Ladies: Christine de Pisan, The Treasure of the City of Ladies, 1405	172	(2)
Glossary	174	(2)
Timeline	176	(4)
Further Reading	180	(5)
Websites	185	(1)
Index	186	(4)
Text and Picture Credits	190