Introduction to Early Medieval Western Europe, 300–900: The Sword, the Plough and the Book

Surveying the period of European history, 300–900 AD, this comprehensive and stimulating textbook is the first to present the last twenty-five years of research in an accessible manner for undergraduate students. It is unique in combining an account of the historical background of the period with discussion of the social, economic, cultural and political structures of the societies within it. Introduction to Early Medieval Western Europe, 300–900 includes: chapter summaries and chronologies key topic essays discussing archaeological or documentary evidence maps plus supporting illustrations from archaeological and historical finds bibliographical essays which discuss available sources and further reading, introducing teachers and students to specialist literature a comprehensive index. Table of Contents Preface and Acknowledgements. Introduction: Rome, the Barbarians and the Fate of Western Europe 1. A New Roman Order: State, Church and Society in the Late Empire 2. Barbarians, the Roman Frontier and the Crisis of the Western Empire 3. The Fifth Century West and the 'Fall of Rome' 4. The Western Mediterranean in the Age of 'Reconquest' 5. Arabs, Avars and Amphoras: Causes and Consequences of Imperial Collapse 6. Hispania and Italy: Contrasting Communities 7. Gaul and Germany: The Merovingian World 8. Britain and Ireland: Kings and Peoples 9. 'The Invincible Race of the Franks': Conquest, Christianisation and Carolingian Kingship 10.'Peace, Unity and Concord Among the Christian People': Carolingian Order and its Architects 11. Paradoxes of Empire: Western Europe in the Ninth Century. Epilogue. Index. From the publisher's web site: http://www.routledgehistory.com/books/Introduction-to-Early-Medieval-Western-Europe-300900-isbn9780415215077