Introduction to Medieval Europe, 300-1550 Wim Blockmans and Peter Hoppenbrouwers Surveying the years between 300 and 1550, this comprehensive new textbook brings a long, complex and varied period of European history vividly to life for students, researchers and general readers of the period. Covering themes as diverse as barbarian migrations, the growth of cities, kingship, religious reform, the Crusades, commerce, the Black Death, and the intellectual and cultural life of the Middle Ages, Introduction to Medieval Europe, 300-1550 explores the driving forces behind the formation of the medieval society and the directions in which it developed and changed. This inspiring textbook: * provides a clear and stimulating survey account of medieval history over more than a thousand years; * covers all the main issues and themes within a clear interpretive framework; * includes illustrated, focused case studies in each chapter to assist learning, covering topics such as Roman Law, architecture, taxation, advances in medicine, the indulgence trade in the Church and a merchant's manual; * gives wide geographical coverage and is richly illustrated with over a hundred photos, engravings, maps, tables and figures ; * is written by two leaders in their fields with the most up-to-date research and reading. Wim Blockmans is Professor of Medieval History at the University of Leiden and is Rector of the Netherlands Institute of Advanced Study in Humanities and Social Sciences. Peter Hoppenbrouwers is Professor of Medieval History at the University of Amsterdam.