Contesting the Middle Ages ─ Debates That Are Changing Our Narrative of Medieval History

Contesting the Middle Ages looks at nine of the most hotly debated topics in the historiography, the decline of Rome, the origins of Islam, the Viking invasion, the Crusades, persecution of minority groups, women, the rise of nominalism, the Black Death and lastly the waning of the Middle Ages. John Aberth in each chapter sets out the historiographical debates in an engaging and informative way to encourage students to think about the process of writing history. Explaining that history is only as accurate or truthful as the sources and evidence upon which it is based, as well as upon our critical interpretation of it.

The historiography of the Middle Ages, a term in itself controversial amongst medieval historians, has been continuously debated and rewritten for centuries; whether Rome fell or if there was a gradual transition into the early medieval period, the influence and growth of Islam, Christianity and Judaism and whether the Vikings were pillagers and plunderers, or peaceful tradesmen and explorers? Are just a few of the debates which can often be daunting for students studying the Middle Ages.

This book will be essential reading for students studying medieval history and historiography.

John Aberth is an independent scholar and medieval historian. He received his Ph.D. in Medieval History from the University of Cambridge in England and has taught, both full and part-time, at various colleges and universities in Vermont, New York, and Nebraska. He is the author of numerous books on the Black Death and European culture during the late Middle Ages.