A History of Medieval Europe : From Constantine to Saint Louis

R.C. Davis provided the classic account of the European medieval world; equipping generations of undergraduate and A level students with sufficient grasp of the period to debate diverse historical perspectives and reputations. His book has been important grounding for both modernists required to take a course in medieval history, and those who seek to specialise in the medieval period. In updating this classic work to a third edition, the additional author now enables students to see history in action ; the diverse viewpoints and important research that has been undertaken since Davis second edition, and progressed historical understanding. Each of Davis original chapters now concludes with a new directions and developments section by Professor RI Moore, Emeritus of Newcastle University. A key work updated in a method that both enhances subject understanding and sets important research in its wider context. A vital resource, now up-to-date for generations of historians to come. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of plates List of maps List of figures Acknowledgements Abbreviations Preface to the Third Edition Preface to the Second Edition Preface to the Revised Edition Preface to the First Edition Dedication Part One: The Dark Ages Introduction 1. Constantine the Great: the New Rome and Christianity Further reading 2. The barbarian invasions Appendix: Coping with the barbarians Further reading 3. Three reactions to the barbarian invasions 1. St Augustine (354–430) 2. Theodoric the Ostrogoth 3. Reconquest: the Emperor Justinian (527–565) Further reading 4. The Church and the Papacy 1. Development of ecclesiastical organization up to the end of the fifth century 2. Benedictine monasticism 3. Pope Gregory the Great (590–604) Postscript: Gregory and Benedict Further reading 5. Islam 1. The Prophet Mohammed (c. 570–632) 2. The conquests 3. The results of the conquests Further reading 6. The Franks 1. The Merovingian Kingdom 2. The transference of power from the Merovingians to the Carolingians (639–751) 3. Charlemagne (768–814) Postscript Further reading 7. The break-up of the Carolingian Empire 1. The sons and grandsons of Charlemagne 2. Vikings, Saracens and Hungarians Appendix: The Battle of the Dyle (891) Postscript: The Vikings Further reading 8. Europe at the end of the ninth century: economic survey 1. Trade and commerce 2. Agrarian economy Postscript Further reading Postscript to Part One Further reading Part Two: The High Middle Ages (900–1250) Introduction 1. The Saxon Empire Appendix: A bishop reproved Postscript Further reading 2. The reform of the Papacy 1. Before Gregory VII 2. Gregory VII and the break with the Empire 3. War Appendix: The eye of prudence Further reading 3. Monasticism in the eleventh and twelfth centuries Appendix: A miracle of St Bernard Further reading 4. Jerusalem regained and lost: the first three Crusades Postscript Further reading 5. Feudal monarchy and the French Kingdom (1066–1223) Appendix: A charter of Philip Augustus Postscript: a note on feudalism Further reading 6. The Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa (1152–1190) 1. Germany 2. Italy 3. Revenge Further reading 7. The crisis of the Church 1. Innocent III (1198–1216): orthodox reform 2. St Francis (1182–1226): inspiration and authority Appendix I: The novice who wanted a psalter Appendix II: Conversion without tears Further reading 8. The new era in monarchy 1. Frederick II (1197–1250) 2. Louis IX (1226–1270) Further reading 9. Europe in the middle of the thirteenth century:an economic survey Postscript: Demography Further reading Epilogue: the Mongols Further reading Postscript to Part Two Index "R.H.C. Davis was one of the finest historians of his generation, and A History of Medieval Europe: From Constantine to Saint Louis has been recognized for fifty years as the clearest, most authoritative and most approachable introduction to medieval history. Davis's exploration of the Dark Ages examines the impact of the Barbarian invasions on Constantine's Christianized empire, and the gradual emergence of a new social, economic, and political order. He discusses the Church and the Papacy, the coming of Islam, and the rise and fall of the Frankish Empire. In his consideration of the High Middle Ages, Davis takes the reader from the Saxon Empire through to an examination of the European economy in the mid-thirteenth century, addressing the spread of monasticism, the papal reform, the crusades, and feudal monarchy."--Back cover An introduction to early medieval history, explaining why such distant history is relevant to the understanding of the modern world. Two parts: Dark Ages, and High Middle Ages.