Turning Points in Medieval History

By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong

Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

For an accurate picture of how the political, social, and religious structure of present-day Europe came to be - and even why we're speaking English today - studying the key events between the years 500 and 1500 is of critical import. These 24 gripping lectures deliver an unparalleled look at these moments that profoundly changed the arc of history, and they weave the era's vast array of disparate events into an interconnected tapestry that illuminates why nothing exists in a vacuum.

Among the events you'll experience: the moment in 711 A.D. when Tariq ibn Zayid conquered Spain and created the unusually tolerant society of Al-Andalus; the 1152 marriage between Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry Plantagenet, which led to the Hundred Years' War and the War of the Roses; and the composition of Fibonacci's Liber Abaci in 1202, which transformed the medieval world of business, banking, and commerce.

These are just three of the many turning points in the history of medieval Europe that prove the Middle Ages were far from "dark." Throughout these lectures, you'll investigate events, such as the Norman conquest of England in 1066, where the impact was immediate and tangible. In others, like the Great Schism between the Eastern and Western churches, the importance was not recognized for years; some developments had effects so gradual that their significance can only be recognized from the vantage point of history.

Methodical and meticulous in its approach to a labyrinthine age, these lectures will help you understand why the West's transition from the classical to the early modern was a fluid, ongoing process rather than the result of a single pivotal moment.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2012 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2012 The Great Courses

Great Professor!

I listen to so many of the great courses lectures and Dorsey Armstrong is by far my favorite! She is enthusiastic about her subjects, knowledgeable and funny when appropriate.

Fantastic!

As always, an organized and well presented collection. Do yourself a favor and listen to her other courses.

Mostly interesting and informative

some parts are too academic and a bit streched out. overall i rather enjoyed it.

Very informative

very easy to listen to. Along with many others, I found myself wondering how general education became fairly wide spread in Medieval times. Ms Armstrong has a very listenable way of speaking. No falling asleep here.

Great Book.

This is an excellent course on the middle ages. It does a good job in showing how the ancient world became the modern world. The information is well researched and presented in a way that gets and holds your attention.

Flawless and engaging.

A superb course. Prof. Armstrong makes the middle ages come alive. Like all medievalists, she is defensive about the great leap forward into the Renaissance, so she feels obligated to remind the student every 12 minutes that elements of the breakthroughs of the Renaissance have precursors in The Dark Ages. Nonetheless, her voice is so good that she should have become Siri.

Intriguing and recommended for any history nerd

Wow! 1000 years of history summarized by Professor Armstrong. This wasn’t my first course from her (nor will it be the last). I love how she continuously reminds us of the significance of events to the people at that time (even if it wasn’t a big deal) as well as to the renaissance, enlightenment, and sometimes even present day. I found her lectures on religion and the treatment of Jewish people to be the most fascinating.

great overview

the author does a great job covering some critical moments (and times) in the middle age that shaped it

Interesting and varied

This lecture series looks at a multitude of different kinds of events and processes that shaped history during the European Middle Ages, whether sudden or gradual. It moves across a great deal of time and space but rigorously maintains a theme and cohesion. The lecturer is enthusiastic and pleasant to listen to, although she sometimes comes across a little bit as though reading out loud from a book.
Well worth a listen, or more than one.

Very interesting material. Accessibly presented.

Strongly recommend for those looking for a review type course on this material. Logically laid out and explained well in context.