The Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe

From the fall of the Roman Empire to the dawn of the Renaissance, the thousand years forming the medieval period were a time of tremendous change and turmoil--a millennium that witnessed the creation of Western civilization. This beautiful volume--the fourth in a superb series of Oxford Illustrated Histories--offers a lively and authoritative account of life in medieval Europe and the Mediterranean.
The great monasteries and cathedrals, the ambitions of the Crusades, chivalric knights and heroic romance, the realism of the new arts, economic and social growth, the catastrophe of plague, the growth of towns and cities, the development of commerce and banking--all of these form the substance of this history. The six chapters of the book are divided between the Mediterranean world and northern Europe, illustrating how the center of political and cultural life moved gradually northward as the centuries progressed.
Written by a team of expert scholars and incorporating the findings of the latest research, the volume features more than 200 illustrations, 24 of them in color, all carefully chosen to amplify the text. Other features of the book include maps, genealogies, a chronology, reading list, and a full index.
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From Library JournalHolmes et al. have produced an attractive account of medieval Europe from the fall of Rome to the eve of the Reformation. This popular history, well-written by professional historians, is for the intelligent general reader. The book conveys a good sense of the movement of events and the succession of great people, and it catches the economic, social, and intellectual structures which underpinned events. Noteworthy among the well-conceived chapters is Malcolm Vale's discussion of “the eclipse of ecclesiastical power . . . especially papal power . . . and the expansion and elaboration of secular rule.” Holmes concludes that this fragmented era laid the groundwork for the fertile period that followed. Maps, charts, and illustrations deserve high praise. Highly recommended. David Keymer, CUNY Coll. of Technology, Utica
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review'The individual chapters are scholarly and up to the minute, without loss of accessibility or pace. The illustrations are many, apposite and refreshingly unhackneyed.' Times Literary Supplement
'In this beautifully illustrated collection of essays the editor and his six collaborators present a picture of that civilization which is well written and well presented.' Contemporary Review
'The rich diversity of the period is admirably conveyed … and visually enhanced by hundreds of the fine illustrations. With maps, chronology and a comprehensive reading-list, this attractively produced reference book will appeal to a wide readership.' David L. Edwards, Church Times
'the contributors have lucidity as well as learning in common. This book will make a good companion for sightseeing trips abroad.' Bob Marshall, Bookseller
'Among the individual contributors the palm goes to Edward James for his masterly survey of northern Europe 400–900… The illustrations have been well selected and excellently reproduced' James Howard-Johnston, Sunday Times
'The individual chapters are scholarly and up to the minute, without loss of accessibility or pace. The illustrations are many, apposite, and refreshingly unhackneyed.' Times Literary Supplement
'a splendid volume, presenting contemporary scholarship to the general reader with care, grace, much thought and many illustrations; filled with things that most general readers won't know at all, and that many specialist readers won't have thought of' London Review of Books
'With over 200 magnificent illustrations, this is likely to become a standard introduction to the subject.' Good Book Guide
'ambitious and informative' History Today
'The volume is full of splendid illustrations, some in full colour, many of them unusual, and these make a notable contribution to the quality of the book. We should be grateful to the entire production team, and not least to the printers, for having done an outstanding job in making available a volume which deserves to sell well at the very reasonable price at which it has been published.' French History