Using a fresh, lively narrative, this innovative history of medieval Europe provides a coherent description of the chaotic, but compelling, era. It focuses, but not narrowly, on the history of Europe from the fifth through the fifteenth centuries — setting the subject in the broader context of world events. It explains complex issues (e.g., social evolution, scholasticism, etc.) clearly and illuminates large issues by showing how they manifested themselves intimately and directly in the lives of memorable individuals.