The Birth of Europe

by Gerald Simons

Genres: History, Reference

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1920

Reviews

[Jonathan Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really solid little intro to the early Middle Ages. Covers the breakup of Rome and Germanic tribes, Charlemagne and the Vikings and early feudalism and ends with the First Crusade.

I never knew that the Normans were originally Vikings (Rollo!) who were given a duchy (Hello Normandy) by the Franks. I can certainly see where Tolkien got some of his names from. I'm pretty sure there is a Rollo Bolger in the Fellowship of the Ring. It's a very Hobbity name.