Debating medieval Europe

Stephen Mossman is Senior Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Manchester

• How to use this book: a guide for students - Stephen Mossman1 The transformation of the Roman world, c. 450-c. 550 - Craig H. Caldwell III2 The Successor States, 550-750 - Paul Fouracre3 The Carolingian moment - Janet L. Nelson4 Translatio imperii: Ottonian Germany - T. J. H. McCarthy5 Feudal revolution? Transformations around the year 1000 - Paul Fouracre6 Vikings and the 'age of iron' in the North Sea - Charles Insley7 Early medieval Spain, 800–1100: the Christian kingdoms and al-Andalus - Robert Portass8 England and the Atlantic Archipelago from Alfred to the Norman Conquest - Charles Insley9 The Norman world, c. 1000-c. 1100 - Paul OldfieldIndex

'The contributors to this edited volume do not engage in debate in the style of oppositional exposition, such as by questioning whether there was a Renaissance or what the causes of WW I were. Rather, they offer overviews of what has happened, looking at familiar chapters of medieval history, such as “The Transformation of the Roman World,” “The Carolingian Moment,” and “The Norman World, c. 1000-c.1100.” All the authors work from the premise that the traditional narrative, while not incorrect, has been modified by the scholarship of the last generation—newer work is well cited in the extensive chapter bibliographies—and that a more nuanced picture of medieval society is now emerging to enrich and amplify older generalizations. For instance, the more recent focus on royal women, greater ambiguity about burial practices and religious conviction, and more qualifications in the hagiographic accounts of Irish monks shaped by conversions all enrich the familiar story. These are readable essays with special concern for the student studying in a survey course. The promise of a second volume for the later medieval period sounds a welcome note.'--J. T. Rosenthal, emeritus, SUNY at Stony BrookSumming Up: Recommended. All undergraduates.Reprinted with permission from Choice Reviews. All rights reserved. Copyright by the American Library Association.