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Welcome to the Middle Ages!

by Melissa Snell

 

Perhaps it was a knight in shining armor, thundering up on a magnificent charger, wielding a blazing sword. Or maybe it was a mighty castle with banners snapping in the wind. Could it have been the image of a lady in a flowing gown and pointy hat, trailing veils behind her? Was it the jester in motley, the monk in his scriptorium, the peasant behind his plow? It may even have been a tale of King Arthur that drew you here.

Whatever attracts us to the Middle Ages, this dim and distant era holds an undeniable fascination for scholars and laymen alike. The romanticized images may soon give way to hard realities like the Inquisition and the Peasants' Revolt, yet even these heavier subjects rarely fail to intrigue. We cannot look at this era for long without wondering why the Crusades began, what it was like to live through the Black Death, or how a war could last one hundred years.

Because of this dichotomy of fantasy and fact, no other period of history holds quite the same attraction as the medieval. Certainly no other period has been quite so colorfully misrepresented, and perhaps none has been so frequently misunderstood. Often the Middle Ages are seen as a single, homogenous era that experienced little change in technology or daily life. But in truth, the medieval era spans more than a thousand years, during which time some of the most important developments in western society took place. And while the bulk of modern scholarship has concentrated on Western Europe and Britain, the influence of the Byzantine Empire, Islam, Africa, and various eastern societies on western culture must not be overlooked.

Encompassing as it does such a broad range of time and space, the Middle Ages offers an extensive variety of subjects to explore. Step into the medieval world and--

• visit a vanished village
• meet a warrior-king
• admire the art of the past
• learn to fence
• enjoy an epic poem
• tour a cathedral
• encounter a hero
• construct a lyre
• ponder the nature of God
• spend a day in a castle
• speak a forgotten language
• survive a fearsome battle
• illuminate a manuscript
• set sail with Viking adventurers
• meet a Renaissance master
• explore a different worldview

--or set off on any one of a thousand journeys of discovery. The only limit is your curiosity.

So welcome to the Middle Ages! I think you'll like it here. 

 

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Getting Started in Medieval Studies

Suggested Reading

For excellent general introductions to the medieval era, try some of the books below. You can find more great books about the Middle Ages and Renaissance in our bookstore. And in case you're wondering, I've read -- and purchased -- all these books, and I'm glad I did!

Medieval Europe: A Short History
by C. Warren Hollister
This concise work is enlightening and easily digested. Hollister manages to convey his affection for the era and relate fascinating details without overloading the reader. Meant for use as a core textbook in college-level introductory courses, high-school students should also find it accessible. Reading suggestions, maps, and photos included.

The Civilization of the Middle Ages
by Norman F. Cantor
A denser and more extensive exploration into the medieval era than Hollister's work, Civilization is nevertheless aimed at the layman. Cantor relates the causes and results of significant events in plain language and examines the general eras with lucid reasoning. Also offers a brief filmography and invaluable bibliography.

Life in Medieval Times
by Marjorie Rowling
Focusing primarily on early medieval France, this easy-to-read work gives a wonderfully clear picture of life in the middle ages. Friendly enough for younger students yet informative enough for the intensely curious. Includes a chronology, bibliography, and woodcut-style illustrations.

Humanists and Reformers: A History of the Renaissance and Reformation
by Bard Thompson
A marvelous text on the tumultous events in spirituality, philosophy and art that brought the Middle Ages to its close. Clean prose illuminates the complex historical background, and wonderful illustrations and plates show you why Renaissance art and architecture still has impact today.

The Medieval Reader
edited by Norman F. Cantor
The people of the Middle Ages speak for themselves in these translated primary sources. Cantor presents them thematically to help you explore concepts like Nobility, the Church, the Good and Beautiful Middle Ages, Unhappy People and more, and includes helpful introductions, background and commentary.

 

Welcome to the Middle Ages! is copyright © 1999 Melissa Snell and About.com. Permission is granted to reproduce this article for personal or classroom use only, provided that the URL below is included. For reprint permission, please contact Melissa Snell.

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