The Medieval World I: Kingdoms, Empires, and War

by Thomas F. Madden

Course OverviewAn award-winning, widely recognized expert on premodern history, Professor Thomas F. Madden launches the first of a two-part series on the medieval world. This all-encompassing investigation of a highly influential time period includes the major events of the era and informative discussion of empire, papacy, the Crusades, and the fall of Constantinople. During the course of these lectures, Professor Madden also addresses the rise of Islam, reform movements, and schisms in the church. In so doing, Professor Madden underscores the significance and grand scale of an age that continues to hold an undeniable fascination for people today. Course SyllabusLecture 1 The End of an Empire and the Beginning of the WorldLecture 2 The Empire Strikes Justinian I and the Reconquest of the WestLecture 3 Storm in the The Rise of IslamLecture 4 The New Masters of The PopesLecture 5 A New The CarolingiansLecture 6 Devastation The New Invasions of EuropeLecture 7 To Reform and The Eleventh-Century Reform MovementLecture 8 The Clash of Church and The Investiture ControversyLecture 9 The CrusadesLecture 10 Growing England and FranceLecture 11 The Rise and Fall of the Papal MonarchyLecture 12 Europe The Avignon Papacy and the Great SchismLecture 13 The Hundred Years WarLecture 14 Europe Stands The Fall of Constantinople

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Medieval History, Medieval, Historical

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Thomas F. Madden (born 1960) is an American historian, the Chair of the History Department at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri, and Director of Saint Louis University's Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

He is considered one of the foremost historians of the Crusades in the United States. He has frequently appeared in the media, as a consultant for various programs on the History Channel and National Public Radio.

In 2007, he was awarded the Haskins Medal from the Medieval Academy of America, for his book Enrico Dandolo and the Rise of Venice, which was also a "Book of the Month" selection by the BBC History magazine.

Reviews

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this professor, love this topic, loved the broad overview that this series of lectures gives of this period of history.

[A.L. Sowards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my most recent audio book and it was a great overview of the Middle Ages, focusing on big-picture politics and wars.

[Dennis Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Medieval World I: Kingdoms, Empires, and War by Thomas Madden is a surprisingly great series of lectures. I am a sucker for periods of transition. The fall of Rome and the birth of the European world is one of the more interesting and lengthy transitions that I've come across. Madden has a very interesting take on it, informed both by the political military history that dominates the main narrative, but also through the study of the medieval Church and its various controversies. We're also introduced to the 9th and 10th century migrations, which were arguably more damaging to the enduring legacy of Rome and its institutions than the Germanic invasions a few centuries prior, which were largely Christian and partially Romanized. In this regard, the Huns and Scandinavians were more akin to the Arab conquerors, though they did eventually settle down and join the European world order. The course ends with a turning point in the Hundred Years War between France and England, as well as with the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans. Its really rather good, though I wish they didn't separate it from the economic and social history of the period. It seems like 8 hours is The Modern Scholar's hard cap, which is a shame. Same for there still not really being a conclusion to look back upon the journey.

[Nathan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool stuff. I listened to the lecture, which was difficult to follow without some kind of time-line for reference. (The audio recording advertised a free time-line and course study guide, but the shipping fee was prohibitive.) I found info online that sufficed.

[Nathan and Anna Fields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of medieval history, at times it seemed there was little attention paid to the advances and influence of Islam during this time. Also wish there was more insight into the division that resulted in split of Orthodox and Catholic Churches. But overall, great overview.

[Coral · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love this Recorded Books lecturer. He's easy to listen to and understand.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars rounded up
Information dense but the historian is sexist.

[Nilesh Jasani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lecture series is a captivating exploration of a period often misunderstood and overlooked. It offers a rich and stimulating journey through the complexities of the medieval period, one that avoids simplistic narratives and instead embraces the full breadth and depth of its subject matter. It covers not only the well-known highlights—such as the formation of early states and the consolidation of church authority—but also the intricate and often overlooked forces that would eventually mold the contours of modern Europe and shape the conditions that led to today’s global landscape. The professor consistently underscores how the Middle Ages served as a critical bridge between the more commonly studied eras of antiquity and modernity, ensuring that listeners understand the medieval world as far more than just a “dark” intermission.

From the lecture’s discussions on the contested power balance between secular kingdoms and the Church to the internal religious struggles that foreshadowed later schisms and reforms, there is a wealth of detail. The series has a lot about the fluid borders of nascent European kingdoms, showing how dynastic rivalries—like those between the Capetians and Plantagenets—left indelible marks on national identities and set the stage for conflicts that would simmer for centuries. Simultaneously, it spotlights the interplay between different faiths, presenting events such as the Crusades not in isolation but as catalysts that influenced trade, cultural exchange, and even linguistic development. It clarifies how the tension between the papacy and imperial powers shaped the political theory and spiritual outlook of subsequent generations, as well as how emerging institutions started to shift authority away from traditional feudal bonds toward more centralized and regulated states.

For instance, the lectures lay out how the competing claims to legitimacy between the German and the French Emperors and the Popes set off a power struggle that would eventually help define the limits of ecclesiastical authority. Meanwhile, the fragmentation following Charlemagne’s empire led to localized power structures that shaped not only France and Germany’s future national contours, but also the concept of sovereignty itself.

What makes the series particularly compelling is that the narrative is presented with clarity, aided by solid research and engaging storytelling.

[Hank Pharis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this the first of a two part survey of the Middle Ages. One of the most amazing ancedotes to me was his saying that one could catch the plague and die within 24 hours!

NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Review to Come*

[Igor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reasonably good overall medieval history.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

The presenter was poor. His pause were annoying and lots of them.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great set of lectures covering the early medieval world. Looking forward to part II.

[Natalie Lynner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this brief overview of the Medieval World.

[Joseph St Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent big-picture overview of the political and economic trends in Europe from about 400-1400.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid survey of medieval history. I would highly recommend it as a starting point for someone interested in learning more about the time periods between approximately AD 400 and 1500.

[William Quinlin]

Enjoyable Read

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Mizrob A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Philip Daileader's The Early Middle Ages is more comprehensive.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent course. I've taken/listened to Madden's courses on the Crusades, the end of the Roman Empire, the history of the Papacy, and the Byzantine Empire. They were all great - but this one takes a less detailed view of the entire sweep of European history from 476 to 1453AD - the fall of Rome to the fall of Constantinople. And so, it was possible to start putting together events in all of those parallel courses and constructing an overall history of the Middle Ages that incorporated all of them. In addition, I learned more about the Hundred Years' War than I'll probably ever need to know.

Madden's style takes some getting used to - he's a bit stammer-y, but he is excellent at the narrative style of history and leading you logically through why effects follow causes. If you've ever wondered why there were three Popes at one time (that happened twice!), how a crusade ended up sacking the biggest and most important Christian city, why the French let the English longbow defeat them several times, how an Emperor ended up barefoot in the snow begging not to be excommunicated, and why the rise (and fall) of the feudal system made perfect sense in the context of the times, take this course.

[Anne Hawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I had to listen to sections of this book more than once, it was very good. I studied World History in High School and college, but I wish I had had a course like this. Madden is a great teacher and he wove together the events of what we used to call the "dark ages" in a way that made a lot of sense and explained a number of things that I have never been too clear on.

Since this class took in about 1,000 years of history, there was a lot left out, but the series has several courses which cover other aspects. It was interesting to note the pattern of civilization rose and fell. As a people became more cultured and prosperous, they seemed to lose discipline and military strength leaving them open to conquest by a more primitive society. The conquering society them absorbed a great deal from the former and after prospering
followed the same pattern. The course also covered the religious history of Europe, which was essentially the civil history also. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand world events today as many of the present customs and conflicts are based in this early history.

[Amr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice overview on the political history of Europe in the Medieval time. Highlights the important turning points, and the events that lead to shape Europe as we know it today. It's a bit difficult to keep up with all the names and people if you're not already familiar with them. Especially, I was listening to the audiobook.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent course. Madden does a good job explaining the cause and effect of connected events. I thought he spent more time than necessary on the Catholic Church though arguably, the Catholic Church helped define the Medieval world.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm enjoying part two more-- greater emphasis on social structure

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the delivery is dry, the content is fascinating. If you're at all interested in medieval history, this is a great place to start.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting lecture series giving a detailed overview of the Medieval Ages.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

History nerd, find it...found.