Introduction
Chapter One. The Roman Era
Decline in trade and population within the Roman Empire in the 3rd
century. Weakening within Rome. The Hun Empire pushing the Germanic
peoples westwards and south into the Roman Empire. In the Gothic
War (376–382), the Goths revolted and confronted the main Roman
army in the Battle of Adrianople (378). The Barbarian
invasions.
Chapter Two. The Barbarian Kingdoms
The Franks, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Lombards, Avars,
Bulgars. Increasingly localized societies. Collapse in long
distance trade and manufacturing. Decline in education,
organizations and administrations. A retreat in agriculture and
reclaiming by forest of some land.
Chapter Three. Britain
A series of settlements by Germanic peoples (the Anglo-Saxons)
began in the early fifth century, and by the sixth century the
island would consist of many small kingdoms engaged in ongoing
warfare with each other.
Chapter Four. The Church
Rome became the centre of the Catholic Church. The spread of
Christianity across northern Europe. Arianism. Monasteries became
the centres of learning. Monks christianised the British Isles. The
Byzantine Church and continuity of the Roman Empire in the East.
The Challenge of Islam. The sophistication of Islamic Spain, where
9th century Cordoda was one of the world’s largest and most
developed cities.
Chapter Five. The Norsemen
Beginning in 789AD, the Vikings raided monasteries, sacked cities
and invaded western Europe. They looted and enslaved their enemies.
But that is only part of their story. In long boats they discovered
Iceland and America (both by accident) and also sailed up the Seine
to Paris (which they sacked). They settled from Newfoundland to
Russia, founded Dublin and fought battles as far afield as the
Caspian Sea.
Chapter Six. Kingdoms of Europe
The last 200 years of the ‘Dark Ages’ saw the emergence of powerful
feudal kingdoms that would shape the fate of Europe for the next
centuries. Frankish Empire, Norse raids in Europe, Scandinavian
Kingdoms, Feudalism, The Normans, The legacy.
Bibliography
Index
Fully illustrated exploration of this often-overlooked period in early medieval history
Martin J. Dougherty is the author of Vikings, The Medieval Warrior and Celts, among many other books. A former defence consultant, he also writes on personal self-defence and modern military technology. He lives in northern England.
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