The Making of the Middle Ages

An Atlas of Europe

£30.00
£30.00
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Trace the tumultuous history of Europe during the Early Middle Ages through 90 specially commissioned maps and a authoritative narrative.

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Medieval Europe remains a mystery to many, yet the relative dearth of information cannot mask its crucial importance in history. Often mischaracterized as a time of darkness and decline, the period from AD 476 to 1000 was marked by turmoil, rebirth and transformation.

From the towering legacy of Constantine to the iron rule of Charlemagne, and the Huns, Goths and Saxons to the Slavs, Franks, Vikings, Rus’, Bulgars and Magyars, John Haywood brings to life the dynamic story of how a new Europe emerged from the ashes of the crumbling Roman Empire. This is not a tale of decline, but a saga of endurance, reinvention and remarkable strength.
Extent: 352 pp
Format: Quarterbound (no jacket)
Illustrations: 193
Publication date: 2026-03-19
Size: 24.0 x 17.0 cm
ISBN: 9780500029800
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Press Reviews

This book is Haywood’s crowning achievement. It is a delight just to leaf through the pages, feasting on the eye candy … a beauty to behold … a useful explanation of how, over the space of 500 years, Europe went from order to chaos and then back to a semblance of order. At a time when Europe is again in flux, this is an interesting and edifying tale about interlopers and the inevitability of change
Sunday Times

This beautiful and impressive book fills a major gap in popular understanding of the Middle Ages, and indeed of Western history as a whole. With its brilliant series of maps, it traces the story across Europe and the Mediterranean from the fifth century to the year 1000
Michael Wood, historian and broadcaster, author of 'In Search of the Dark Ages'

Fantastic maps, short and varied descriptive chapters, and many detailed illustrations
World History Encyclopaedia


About the Authors

John Haywood was educated at the universities of Lancaster, Cambridge and Copenhagen. He is an expert on the history of Dark Age Europe, the Vikings and Celts. His authorial credits include Ocean: A History of the Atlantic Before Columbus as well as The Penguin Atlas of the Vikings and The New Atlas of World History, also published by Thames & Hudson.

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