Is your knowledge of The Crusades less than tip-top? Maybe you're curious about Columbus, or you're desperate to read about the Black Death in all its gory detail? Whatever your starting point, this expert guide has it all - from kings, knights and anti-Popes, to invasion, famine, the Magna Carta and Joan of Arc (and a few rebellious peasants thrown in for good measure!). Get ready for a rip-roaring ride through the political, religious and cultural life of the Middle Ages, one of the most talked-about periods in history. Medieval History for Dummies includes: Part I: The Early Middle Ages Chapter 1: The Middle Ages: When, Where, What, Who? Chapter 2: The end of Rome and the not so 'Dark Ages'. Chapter 3: Angles, Saxons and Feudalism. Chapter 4: The Carolingians grab their chance. Chapter 5: Charlemagne - A new empire is born. Part II: The Making of Europe Chapter 6: The (Holy Roman) Empire Strikes Back. Chapter 7: East Meets West: Islam in the Western Mediterranean. Chapter 8: The Vikings: A threat from the north. Chapter 9: Schism: The Church splits itself in two. Chapter 10: The Normans: The 'real' Middle Ages begin. Part III: 'Holy War': Crusading at home and abroad. Chapter 11: Crusade: A call to arms. Chapter 12: The First Crusade Chapter 13: England vs France & Pope vs Emperor Chapter 14: The Second Crusade & The 'Crusades at Home' Chapter 15: Richard vs Saladin: The Third Crusade Chapter 16: The later Crusades and other failures. Part IV: Parliament, Priories, Provisions & Plague Chapter 17: John, Henry, Rudolf & Edward. Chapter 18: Monks & Merchants: The new power brokers Chapter 19: The Papacy on Tour: Avignon and the Anti-Popes Chapter 20: 'God's Judgement?': The Black Death Part V: The End of the Middle and the start of discovery. Chapter 21: One Hundred Years of War Chapter 22: The Peasants are Revolting Chapter 23: Agincourt, Joan of Arc & the French recovery Chapter 24: Columbus & The New World Part VI: The Part of Tens Chapter 25: Ten Rubbish Kings Chapter 26: Ten Curious Medieval Pastimes Chapter 27: Ten Great Castles Chapter 28: Ten People Who Changed The World Chapter 29: Ten Great Books (To read next)

Stephen Batchelor is Head of School for Creative and Visual Arts at MidKent College and has taught ancient history and classical studies for many years. Stephen has written book reviews for Current Archaeology and History Today, and is the author of The Ancient Greeks For Dummies.

Leseprobe

Intro Introduction I The Early Middle Ages 1 The Middle Ages: When, Where, What, Who? 2 The End of Rome and the not so ''Dark Ages'' 3 The Anglo-Saxons 4 Merovingians and Carolingians 5 Charlemagne - A New Empire Is Born II The Making of Europe 6 The (Holy Roman) Empire Strikes Back 7 East Meets West: Islam in the Western Mediterranean 8 The Vikings: A Threat From the North 9 Schism: The Church Splits Itself in Two 10 The Normans: The ''Real'' Middle Ages Begin III Holy War'': Crusading at Home and Abroad 11 Crusade: A Call to Arms 12 The First Crusade 13 England vs France & Pope vs Emperor 14 The Second Crusade & the ''Crusades at Home'' 15 Richard vs Saladin: The Third Crusade 16 The Later Crusades and Other Failures IV Parliament, Priorities, Provisions, and Plague 17 John, Henry, Rudolf, and Edward 18 Monks and Merchants: The New Power Brokers 19 The Papacy on Tour: Avignon and the Anti-Popes 20 God''s Judgement''?: The Black Death V The End of the Middle and the Start of Discovery 21 One Hundred Years of War 22 The Peasants are Revolting 23 Agincourt, Joan of Arc, and the French Recovery 24 Columbus and the New World VI The Part of Tens 25 Ten Rubbish Kings 26 Ten Curious Medieval Pastimes 27 Ten Great Castles 28 Ten People Who Changed the World 29 Ten Great Books (to read next) Index Index