"The Middle Age is the birth-period of the modern states of Europe. We shall study the successive periods of decay and revival in the Empire; its ineffectual efforts to carry on the work of Rome in destroying the sense of difference in race, and to make all Europe one people; and its bitter struggle with its new rival, the Papacy, which ended practically in the destruction of both. We shall follow the Barbarians in their migrations and invasions, and watch them as they form new states and slowly learn of Rome the elements of civilization. We shall see them come to national self-consciousness, exhibiting all the signs of a proud sense of nationality, gradually but stubbornly resisting interference of both Emperor and Pope in their affairs, and, finally, throwing off all allegiance to both, becoming fully independent and acknowledging their responsibility to no power outside of themselves. Along with this national differentiation goes the development of the barbarian dialects into vigorous languages, each characteristic of the people to which it belongs. We shall study the spread of Christianity, its ideals and institutions, Monasticism and the Papacy. The monks of the west played a most important part in Christianizing and civilizing the peoples of Europe, and the Bishops of Rome came to look upon themselves as the successors, not only of Peter, but also of the Caesars, claiming all power, both spiritual and temporal. The Church is, therefore, a prominent factor in the history of the Middle Age." - Oliver J. Thatcher
Contents - Europe, its peoples, and the christian church. The migrations of the nations. The reaction of the empire against the germans. The Franks (481-814). The dismemberment of the Empire. Political history of France, 887-1108. Germany and its relation to Italy (887-1056). England and the Norsemen (802-1070). The Normans in Italy. Feudalism. The growth of the Papacy. The struggle between the Papacy and the Empire (1056-1254). Monasticism. Mohammed, mohammedanism, and the crusades. The development of the cities, more especially in France. Italy to the invasion of Charles VIII., 1494. France, 1108-1494; England, 1070-1485. The lesser countries of Europe to 1500. Germany, 1254-1493. The Papacy, 1250-1450. The Italian Renaissance.
Contents - Europe, its peoples, and the christian church. The migrations of the nations. The reaction of the empire against the germans. The Franks (481-814). The dismemberment of the Empire. Political history of France, 887-1108. Germany and its relation to Italy (887-1056). England and the Norsemen (802-1070). The Normans in Italy. Feudalism. The growth of the Papacy. The struggle between the Papacy and the Empire (1056-1254). Monasticism. Mohammed, mohammedanism, and the crusades. The development of the cities, more especially in France. Italy to the invasion of Charles VIII., 1494. France, 1108-1494; England, 1070-1485. The lesser countries of Europe to 1500. Germany, 1254-1493. The Papacy, 1250-1450. The Italian Renaissance.
