Early Times: The Story of the Middle Ages, 2nd Edition (Early Times Series)

From the sacking of once-mighty Rome, to the Crusades, the meteoric rise of Christianity, and the Holy Roman Empire, The Story of the Middle Ages examines the tumultuous times of medieval history spanning over 1,000 years and several continents.

Often overshadowed by the historic epochs before and after it, the saga of the Middles Ages has often been dismissed as a stagnant and unimportant period of European history. Fortunately, this narrow view was abandoned, and the significance of the medieval or Middle Ages was brought to light. Despite its unfortunate missteps, many advances were accomplished amidst the chaos and upheaval, and a colorful diversity of cultures and beliefs slowly transformed into forward momentum for change and innovation.

Explore the Middle Ages:

• Meet Charlemagne and his knightly court, the barbarian hordes of Attila the Hun, Leif Erikson's stern seafaring Norsemen, and a host of other warring factions that invaded, conquered, and ruled for a time in the ever-changing medieval landscape.
• Follow the rise of Christianity as incredible ornate churches were constructed, brutal wars were waged to root out non-believers, and religious leaders grew to hold more power than Kings!
• Witness the ultimate medieval soldiers: the legendary order of knights. These elite fighters wielded advanced weapons and mighty steel armor covering themselves and their mounts! Some were bound by honor, others not so much.
• Experience a day in the life of a feudal Lord! Eating boar with the knights and servants, hunting wild birds with a falcon, and gathering to hear a travelling minstrel were all regular occurrences at the castle of a 13th century English lord.

This informative textbook contains numerous photos, maps, and illustrations that bring the Middle Ages to life for students and history lovers of all ages. Each chapter concludes with review questions, ideas for further discussion, and suggestions for research and other projects.