Description
Book SynopsisIn this ground-breaking new study,Jacques Le Goff, arguably the leading medievalist of his generation, presents his view of the primacy of the Middle Ages in the development of European history.
- [A] superb and necessary book. This provocative assessment from a lifetime of scholarship might help us to place ourselves, not just territorially, but in that other precious element of history: time.
The Guardian
- A book that never fails to be informative, readable and provocative. Le Goff... has been the bravest and best of champions for medieval history. This book... is in every sense an inspiration.
BBC History Magazine
- Praised by prominent figures in Europe and history including: Rt Hon Christopher Patten, CH, Former Member of the European Commission, and Neil Kinnock, Vice-President, European Commission.
Trade Review"Recommended ... .Illustrate[s] the continuing differences on how scholars treat the past, differences found among early modern scholars as well as medievalists." (
Sixteenth Century Journal, Summer 2009)
"A book that never fails to be informative, readable and provocative. [Le Goff] has been the bravest and best of champions for medieval history. This book, written by its author at the age of 80, is in every sense an inspiration." (BBC History Magazine)
"[A] superb and necessary book. This provocative assessment from a lifetime of scholarship might help us to place ourselves, not just territorially, but in that other precious element of history: time." (The Guardian)
"Le Goff authoritatively traces the initial development of virtually all aspects of modern society." (The Morning Star)
"A fine survey of medieval Europe that will benefit both specialists and non-specialists alike." (History: Reviews of New Books)
"Le Goff's book not only embodies his long-term project of a new political history but is a politically engaged history in the most valuable sense: it should be on the compulsory reading list of politicians everywhere." (Reviews in History)
Table of ContentsSeries Editor’s Preface ix
Acknowledgments xi
Maps xii
Introduction 1
Preludes: Before the Middle Ages 6
1 The Conception of Europe (Fourth to Eighth Centuries) 14
2 An Aborted Europe: The Carolingian World (Eighth to Tenth Centuries) 29
3 A Dream of Europe and the Potential Europe of the Year 1000 40
4 Feudal Europe (Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries) 49
5 The ‘‘Fine’’ Europe of Towns and Universities (Thirteenth Century) 99
6 The Autumn of the Middle Ages or the Spring of a New Age? 154
Conclusion 194
Chronology 202
A Selective Thematic Bibliography 211
Index 252
