This classic, wide-ranging introduction provides a firm framework of political narrative combined with lucid expositions of every aspect of the period - from economy, government and society to religion, education, and the crusades. Readable, alive and searching, it provides the ideal guide for the student learning how to study history from the sources.

List of genealogical charts.List of maps.Preface.Abbreviations1. Introduction.2.Sources.3. The shape of Europe.4. Economic life.5. Society.6. The role of women.7. Marriage.8. Cities and towns.9.Travel.10. Kingship and government.11. The Empire, 962-1056.12. From the Salians to the Hohenstaufen.13. The kingdom of the French.14. Britain and the Vikings, 959-1035.15. The Normans.16. The crusades, Byzantium and Spain.17. Monasticism and papal reform.18. The papal conflicts.19. The new monastic orders.20. Schools and scholarship.21.Popular religion.22. Epilogue.Appendix.Bibliography.Genealogical charts.Maps.Index