Saskia Higgins

This book traces the dramatic stories of five of the most influential empires in medieval and late antiquity, exploring how they rose to greatness, maintained control, and ultimately declined or transformed.Begin with The Fall of Rome, the collapse...

This collection explores how seafarers, steppe warriors, and rising dynasties carved out vast territories and left lasting legacies across continents.Begin with The Viking Age, a period of daring maritime expeditions, raids, and settlements that...

Feudalism emerged in Western Europe as a response to the collapse of centralized authority following the fall of the Roman Empire. As Roman institutions crumbled in the 5th century, Europe descended into a period of instability and fragmentation....

Joan of Arc was born around January 6, 1412, in the small village of Domrémy, located in northeastern France. She came from a modest family of farmers, with her father, Jacques d’Arc, being a well-respected member of the community. Her mother,...

Chivalry, a code of conduct and a set of ideals, emerged during the early Middle Ages, forming the backbone of the knightly order and defining the conduct of warriors across Europe. The origins of chivalry can be traced back to the feudal system,...

These three works highlight how architecture and intellectual ambition shaped the heart of the Middle Ages and left a legacy that endures to this day.Begin with The Gothic Cathedral, a stunning symbol of spiritual devotion and engineering genius....

This volume explores how rival dynasties, religious authorities, and expanding empires shaped the geopolitical and cultural map of the Middle Ages.Begin with The Investiture Controversy, the clash between the Church and monarchs over who held the...

During the early medieval period, education in Europe was primarily shaped by the influence of the Church. With the decline of the Western Roman Empire, formal education systems deteriorated, leaving monasteries and cathedral schools as the main...

The rise of feudal Japan marked a significant turning point in the nation's political and social history. Beginning in the late 8th to early 9th centuries, the centralized power of the imperial court in Kyoto began to wane. As emperors became more...

Medieval medicine was deeply rooted in the knowledge and traditions inherited from antiquity. The healing practices of this era were shaped by ancient medical texts, religious doctrine, and the widespread belief in the humoral theory. These influences...

Monasticism, as a religious way of life, emerged from the desire for spiritual purity and devotion. Its origins can be traced to the early centuries of Christianity, when individuals sought solitude and asceticism to deepen their faith. These early...

This comprehensive volume brings together five essential topics—Feudalism, Knights and Chivalry, Medieval Education, Medieval Monasticism, and Medieval Medicine—offering a vivid and informative picture of the world between the 5th and 15th...

This volume presents five major narratives that shaped the geopolitics and religious landscape of Europe and the Near East from the 8th to the 15th centuries.The story of Joan of Arc brings to life the courage and mysticism of a teenage girl who led...

This volume explores how devastating plagues, ambitious trade networks, and long-standing wars defined a darker, yet transformative, side of the Middle Ages.Start with The Black Death, the infamous pandemic that swept across Europe and Asia in the...

The Cathars emerged as one of the most distinctive and controversial religious movements of medieval Europe, particularly in the Languedoc region of modern-day southern France. Rooted in dualist beliefs, the Cathars rejected many of the core teachings...

The Umayyad Caliphate emerged as one of the most powerful empires in the early Islamic world, expanding its influence across vast territories from the Middle East to North Africa and into Europe. Following the death of Prophet Muhammad, the Islamic...

The story of the Black Death begins long before it reached the shores of Europe. At the heart of the devastation was a bacterium called Yersinia pestis, the microorganism responsible for one of the deadliest pandemics in human history. This pathogen...

The origins of the Byzantine Empire are deeply rooted in the legacy of the Roman Empire. As the Roman Empire grew increasingly difficult to manage due to its vast size, Emperor Diocletian initiated a division in the late 3rd century CE, separating the...

The Carolingian Renaissance was a pivotal moment in European history, marking a revival of learning, culture, and intellectual activity during the reign of Charlemagne and his successors. To fully appreciate this movement, it is essential to...

The origins of the Crusades lie in a complex blend of religious fervor, political ambition, and cultural conflict that took shape in the late 11th century. At the heart of the movement was a passionate desire by Christian Europe to reclaim the Holy...

At its height, the Roman Empire stood as one of the most powerful and influential civilizations in history. Spanning continents, from the windswept moors of Britain to the deserts of Egypt, Rome’s reach seemed boundless. The strength of the empire lay...

The origins of Gothic architecture lie in the transition from the Romanesque style that dominated Europe in the early medieval period. Romanesque churches, with their thick walls, small windows, and rounded arches, provided a sense of solidity but...

The Hanseatic League, often simply referred to as the Hansa, emerged during the late Middle Ages as a powerful and influential commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in northern Europe. Its origins can be traced...

The Holy Roman Empire traces its origins to a time of shifting power dynamics, spiritual authority, and the enduring legacy of Rome. It was neither wholly holy, Roman, nor an empire in the traditional sense, but it stood as a significant political and...