Medieval Europe by Chris Wickham
Jennifer Awes Freeman
Reviewed by: Medieval Europe by Chris Wickham Jennifer Awes Freeman Europe. By Wickham. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2016. 335 pp. In the twenty-first century, medievalists of all stripes continue to find themselves countering misnomer "Dark Ages" and that mentality implies—from uninformed filmic depictions rely on stereotypes journalists' politicians' descriptions modern terrorists as "medieval." recent years, have also taken intentional steps address misappropriation Middle Ages nationalist white supremacist groups. This author's work [End Page 488] contributes this effort in its departure from a teleological approach history. first chapter, "A Look at Ages," explains "historical development does not go to; it goes from"(1). same he briefly orients reader history word "medieval" baggage. He justifies temporal geographical boundaries his study—or rather, acknowledges what ways they are artificial. states task book is track moments significant change Ages, well structural developments led them, an demonstrate why medieval period interesting relevant itself. To end, traces eleven main events individual chapters signal major shifts 500–1500 The story begins with aftermath so-called fall Roman Empire successor-states: Frankish Gaul, Visigothic Spain, Lombard Italy. third chapter recounts impact eastern empire's encounter Islam seventh century. next documents Carolingian "experiment," is, campaign correctio would influence politics religion for centuries come. fifth tracks gradual Christianizing British Isles northern Europe, process which was often linked and/or influence. Next, relates increase lordship-based decentralization power eleventh eighth describe population growth, related economic urban expansion, resulting re-centralizing religious political central Ages. Then ninth turns decline Byzantine Empire, effectively cemented Fourth Crusade, followed "Defining society: gender community late Europe," feels like something interlude. it, refers Catherine Siena Margery Kempe examples "female innovation" suggests contemporary responses give insight into social complexities including Black Death (accounted eleven). concludes describing widening increasingly public discourse sum, argues 489] should be characterized novel widespread engagement, rather than crisis, anxiety, or orientation has so been ascribed. contains 32 high-quality glossy images—the majority buildings—with explanatory captions. However, fails even refer these images narrative—let alone incorporate lost opportunity. As treats many other works historical scholarship do: merely decorative, somehow self-evident, marginalia. Still, pleasure read; once conversational tone compelling, while remaining thoroughly erudite. addresses several old, untested tropes, making valuable resource scholars seeking grasp "big picture" Ages; will certainly win over undergraduate students course text, proving accessible general readership. Saint Thomas, Paul, Minnesota Copyright © 2018 Johns Hopkins Press Lutheran Quarterly, Inc.
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