Studying the period of European history, 300-900 AD, this comprehensive textbook is the first to combine the last twenty-five years of research in an accessible manner for undergraduate students. It is unique in combining an account of the historical background of the period with discussion of the social, economic, cultural and political structures of the societies within it.This booknbsp;contains: chapter summaries and chronologies key topic essays discussing archaeological or documentary evidence supporting illustrations from archaeological and historical finds bibliographical essays which discuss available sources and further reading, introducing teachers and students to specialist literature a comprehensive index. Key topics discussed are: why the Roman Empire broke down so irrevocably in western Europe how it came to be replaced by radically different political systems why the city-based state structure of antiquity was replacednbsp; how and why the division between civilians and the military broke downnbsp; the conversion of western Europe to Christianity and the establishment of the church as the central social institutionnbsp; what made western Europe's experience so distinctive in this period. With its synthesis and interpretations of otherwise unavailable primary research, this text is ideal for students of late antique or early medieval history and provides researchers and postgraduate students with an invaluable source of information.Studying the period of European history, 300-900, this comprehensive textbook is the first to combine the last twenty-five years of research in an accessible manner for undergraduate students. It is unique in combining an account of the historical background of the period with discussion of the social, economic, cultural and political structures of the societies within it.Especially designed to be user-friendly it contains:- chapter summaries and chronologies- key topic essays discussing archaeological or documentary evidence- supporting illustrations from archaeological and historical finds- bibliographical essays which discuss available sources and further reading, introducing teachers and students to specialist literature- a comprehensive index.Key topics discussed are:- why the Roman Empire broke down so irrevocably in western Europe- how it came to be replaced by radically different political systems- why the city-based state structure of antiquity was replaced- how and why the division between civilians and the military broke down- the conversion of western Europe to Christianity and the establishment of the church as the central social institution- what made western Europe's experience so distinctive in this period.With its synthesis and interpretations of otherwise unavailable primary research, this text is ideal for students of late antique or early medieval history, and provides researchers and postgraduate students with an invaluable source of information.Surveying the period of European history, 300-900 AD, this comprehensive and stimulating textbook is the first to present the last twenty-five years of research in an accessible manner for undergraduate students. It is unique in combining an account of the historical background of the period with discussion of the social, economic, cultural and political structures of the societies within it.An Introduction to Early Medieval Western Europeincludes:- chapter summaries and chronologies- key topic essays discussing archaeological or documentary evidence- maps plus supporting illustrations from archaeological and historical finds- bibliographical essays which discuss available sources and further reading, introducing teachers and students to specialist literature- a comprehensive index.Key topics discussed are:- why the Roman Empire broke down so irrevocably in western Europe- how it came to be replaced by radically different political systems- why the city-based state structure of antiquity was replaced- how and why the division between civilians and the military broke down- the conversion of western Europe to Christianity and the establishment of the church as the central social institution- what made western Europe's experience so distinctive in this period.With its synthesis and interpretations of otherwise unavailable primary research, and it's carefully constructed textbook features,An Introduction to Early Medieval Western Europeis ideal for students of late antique or early medieval history and will also be an invaluable resource for researchers and postgraduate students worldwide.This comprehensive textbook is the first to combine the last twenty-five years of research in an accessible manner for undergraduate students. It is unique in combining and account of the historical background of the period covering the years 300-900 with discussion of the social, economic, cultural and political structures of the society within it. With its synthesis of otherwise unavailable primary research, this text is ideal for students of late antique or early medieval history and provides researchers and postgraduate students with an invaluable source of information.This comprehensive textbook is the first to synthesise a quarter of a century of pathbreaking research in an accessible manner for undergraduate students. Matthew Innes is unique in combining an account of the historical background of the period with discussion of the social, economic, cultural and political structures of the societies within it. His fresh approach will be a stimulus to academic study and debate. Individual chapters include discussion on:* Why the Roman Empire broke down so irrevocably in western Europe* How it came to be replaced by radically different political systems* Why the city-based state structure of antiquity was replaced by a system in which landowners used their private resources to exercise public power* How and why the division between civilians and the military broke down* The conversion of western Europe to Christianity and the establishment of the church as the central social institution* What made western Europe's experience so distinctive in this period.Ideal for first- and second- year undergraduates and college students studying late antique or early medieval history, it will also interest researchers and postgraduate students because it synthesises and interprets a great deal of otherwise unavailable primary research.Especially designed to be student-friendly, An Introduction to Early Medieval Western Europe contains:* chapter summaries and chronologies* key topic essays discussing archaeological or documentary evidence* a lavish range or supporting illustrations from archaeological and historical finds* bibliographical essays which discuss available sources and secondary literature, introducing teachers and students to the specialist literature* a comprehensive glossary and indexSurveyingnbsp;the period of European history, 300-900 AD, this comprehensive and stimulating textbook is the first tonbsp;present the last twenty-five years of research in an accessible manner for undergraduate students. It is unique in combining an account of the historical background of the period with discussion of the social, economic, cultural and political structures of the societies within it. An Introduction to Early Medieval Western Europe includes: chapter summaries and chronologies key topic essays discussing archaeological or documentary evidence maps plus supporting illustrations from archaeological and historical finds bibliographical essays which discuss available sources and further reading, introducing teachers and students to specialist literature a comprehensive index. Key topics discussed are: why the Roman Empire broke down so irrevocably in western Europe how it came to be replaced by radically different political systems why the city-based state structure of antiquity was replacednbsp; how and why the division between civilians and the military broke downnbsp; the conversion of western Europe to Christianity and the establishment of the church as the central social institutionnbsp; what made western Europe's experience so distinctive in this period. With its synthesis and interpretations of otherwise unavailable primary research, and it's carefully constructed textbook features,nbsp; Introduction to Early Medieval Western Europe nbsp;is ideal for students of late antique or early medieval history and will also be an invaluable resource for researchers and postgraduate students worldwide.nbsp;This comprehensive survey synthesises a quarter of a century of pathbreaking research in an accessible manner for undergraduate students. Matthew Innes combines an account of the historical background of the period with discussion of the social, economic, cultural and political structures within it.This comprehensive textbook is the first to combine the last 25 years of research in an accessible manner for undergraduate students. It is unique in combining an account of the historical background of the period with discussion of the social, economic, cultural and political structures of the societies within it.Especially designed to be user-friendly, An Introduction to Early Medieval Western Europe contains:* chapter summaries and chronologies* key topic essays discussing archaeological or documentary evidence* a lavish range of supporting illustrations from archaeological and historical finds* bibliographical essays which discuss available sources and further reading, introducing teachers and students to specialist literature* a comprehensive glossary and index.Key topics discussed are:* why the Roman Empire broke down so irrevocably in western Europe* how it came to be replaced by radically different political systems* why the city-based state structure of antiquity was replaced* how and why the division between civilians and the military broke down* the conversion of western Europe to Christianity and the establishment of the church as the central social institution* what made western Europe's experience so distinctive in this period.With its synthesis and interpretations of otherwise unavailable primary research, this text is ideal for students of late antique or early medieval history, and provides researchers and postgraduate students with an invaluable source of information.'Matthew Innes' new survey fills a nagging void for teachers of early medieval history ... He engages in a dialogue with the sources and literature and with his audience as well ... leading students to an appreciation of current views and competing scholarly interpretations ... The bibliographical essays are a superb introduction to the literature of the field, invaluable to introductory and advanced students as well as seasoned professionals.'- John McCulloh, Kansas State University.Ideal for undergraduates, this excellent user-friendly textbook presents 25 years of research and exquisitely combines the study of the period's historical background and the social, cultural and political structures within it.This comprehensive textbook is the first to synthesize a quarter of a century of path breaking research in an accessible manner for undergraduate students. Matthew Innes is unique in combining an account of the historical background of the period with discussion of the social, economic, cultural and political structures of the societies within it.
show more 
show less