Abstract
An outline of the early medieval period, which saw the rise of new kingdoms in Western Europe. The paper discusses the rise and development of the Carolingian Empire. It also provides special attention to the economic and social structure that came from the collapsed Roman Empire and the Barbarian kingdoms.

From the Paper
"In the pre-Christian era, the German tribes migrated from the northern Europe to the Roman Empire and occupied the northern lands. There were clashes between the German tribes and the Romans who considered them intruders into their lands and called them "barbarians". The collapse of the Roman Empire enabled the German tribes to explore the Western Roman Empire. There were three basic factions of these German tribes-Germanic Lombards who settled in northern and central Italy, Anglo-Saxons in Britain, And Franks in Gaul (France). The Frankish kingdoms later became one of the new western European civilizations."

Tags:roman, western, middle, ages, empire, social, economic, barbarian

Abstract
The paper provides a brief biography of Charlemagne and notes the improvements made during his reign to the quality of life in the Middle Ages in Europe. He improved education, helped unify Europe through military conquests and improved architecture.

From the Paper
"During the long period from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance almost a thousand years later, referred to as the Dark Ages, Charlemagne is the only bright spot in European history; his is the only commanding presence. During most of this period, barbarians ranged around Europe, Christians made almost no progress against paganism and Western reading and writing were almost extinguished. This grim period, however, was illuminated briefly by Charlemagne and his reign."

Tags:ages, carolingian, dark, medieval, middle, renaissance, buildings, travel, war

Abstract
The paper researches the history of the Jewish community in Medieval Europe, particularly in the areas dominated by the Christian rulers and the Church. The paper examines the discrimination and cruel prosecution of the Jews, and the reasons behind this persecution. The paper gives specific examples of their periodic persecution and also discusses their treatment by the Muslim rulers in Spain.

Table of Contents:
The Root Cause of the Bias Against Jews
Jews in the Early Middle Ages
(i) Jewish Community in the Iberian Peninsula
(ii) Money Lending Jews and Isolated Existence
(iii) Prosecution During Crusades
(iv) Later Middle Ages

From the Paper
"Although the Christian crusades in the Middle Ages were primarily directed against their arch enemies--the Muslims, they frequently degenerated into massacres of an easier target--the Jewish communities in Europe. For example, during the First Crusade in 1096 AD, the German crusaders on their way to the East, turned on the flourishing Jewish communities on the Rhine and the Danube and utterly destroyed them."

Tags:vatican, blood, libel, Visigothic, Iberia, anti-semitism

Abstract
This paper examines how the Carolingian Empire, which united most of Western Europe under one ruler in the late eighth century AD, was based on the domination of the Franks, including some of the greatest European kings who ever ruled. It focuses on the rule of Charlemagne and how his reign is considered the apogee of the empire for several reasons. It looks at how he conquered much of Europe, promoted the spread of Christianity and generally improved his people's way of life.

From the Paper
"Like Clovis I, Charlemagne was a devout Christian and a firm believer in education and therefore was a great supporter of both the clergy and faculty. "Charlemagne practised the Christian religion with great devotion and piety, for he had been brought up in this faith since earliest childhood" (Einhard, 104). He built a great Cathedral, called Holy Mother of God in Aachen and donated a great deal of money and relics to monasteries, churches and other religious institutions. He often personally chose which person would be appointed to a given position within the church, based on how wise and virtuous the candidates were. Not only did he further and improve religion in his own realm, by conquering other territories he spread Christianity's influence."

Tags:church, charles, christianity

Abstract
This paper discusses rebellion in medieval Europe and looks at the broad forces that made so many of them (if not all of them) possible. From there, the paper also explores the issues of excessive taxation, the unwillingness of the nobility to respect the old responsibilities they once owed their serfs and underlings, the general corruption that made government work as a tool for the elites and not on behalf of the urban poor, and the leadership that drained the public treasury (or at least the pockets of ordinary citizens) while contributing nothing to the well-being of the state as a whole.

From the Paper
"In the final analysis, a review of the Flemish revolt of 1323-1328, the uprising of the ciompi in Florence during the late 1370s, and the peasants' revolt of the early 1380s in England have many more similarities than differences - though some of the differences are interesting, too."

Tags:statesmanship, medieval, rebellion

Abstract
In this paper, the evolution of feudalism and the manorial system of serfdom takes on different perspectives in a changing medieval Europe. In many ways, both systems were used in a somewhat closely related land-bound slavery, which cost the nobles of Europe a great deal of productivity, limiting their growth potential. However, with the advent of money, the value of land and those that worked the land changed, as the laboring classes were able to become free to work for hire for money.

From the Paper
"Economic Studies: Understanding the Economic Evolution of Feudalism, Manorialism and Serfdom in the Medieval Era This economic study will examine the economic apparatus that helped to forge the feudal and manorial systems among the ruling elites of Europe during the medieval period. Furthermore, the hierarchy of class structure in this evolution will be examined to show how serfdom worked from the early Carolingian times to the 15th century. In this manner, the economic changes after the fall of the Roman Empire in regards to feudalism, manorial and the ever-changing class structures that existed within the early to late medieval period will be examined."

Tags:feudalism, economy, medieval

Abstract
A discussion of the lack of source material available when exploring the lives of women in medieval Europe. It focuses on the book by Emilie Amt, "Women's Lives in Medieval Europe". It explains that most of the material available was written from a male perspective and that a true history of these women's lives is hard to come by.

From the Paper
"Out of necessity, history or an "aggregate of past events," must be built primarily on written materials. Oral histories and storytelling can provide input on a specific period of time. Yet, one can only assume that that the facts are altered through the generations from one tale relating to another. Of course, no one can assume that everything or even almost everything that is written is true. Just look at the variety of materials on the Internet to clarify that! However, some written materials are accurate, or nearly so, and give historians a place to start."

Tags:amt, emile

Abstract
This paper looks at the reasons behind the huge development of medieval Italian cities in relation to the rest of Europe. These factors include: Their superior organization, military history, geographical advantages in terms of trade and commerce and the unique form of government dividing the country into city states.

From the Paper
"Medieval times saw an expansion in city life all across Europe, but nowhere more so than in Italy. As early as the tenth century, Italian towns, though still inferior to those in the East, had become far larger than those in other Catholic European countries. From 1100-1250, the population of many Italian cities grew considerably, rising from around 5,000-6,000 people to between 30,000-40,000. This was because of a number of factors, most notably the commercial revolution and explosion of trade, which Italy was in a unique position to exploit, due, among other things, to her history and geographical location."

Tags:commerce, florence, italy, trade, venice

Abstract
This paper provides a review of Judith Herrin's book "Byzantium: The Surprising Life of Medieval Empire." The paper notes that this book provides an overview of the history of the great empire and its greatest city. The writer explains that Herrin's central thesis is that far from the footnote to history, to which it is often reduced, Byzantium civilization played the critical role in preventing the Islamic empire to spread through all of Europe, and thus played a vital part in making the Western World what it is today, for better or for worse.The reviewer concludes that Herrin's main accomplishment is that she tells a great story and manages to make a defense for Byzantium without seeming anti-Turkish or anti-Islam, a notable achievement the contemporary era which is, equally fraught with religious controversies as Byzantium itself.

From the Paper
"Herrin's technique is engaging even for readers unfamiliar with the period: she uses micro issues to address issues of 'macro' importance. One of the most interesting chapters, for example, is on Byzantine iconography. If the lay reader is familiar with any aspect of Byzantium it is likely this artistic practice. She argues that icons cannot be primarily understood as artworks, as they are today, but must be placed in their historical and theological context to be properly interpreted. For example, manufacturing icons was seen as providing worshippers with a direct form of access to God. The artist was a kind of medium, or vehicle of inspiration to the saints or other figures in heaven. This stands in profound contrast to the reverence for the individual artist in Western culture, and its emphasis on religious reproduction of theological figures, rather than the veneration of theological art. This highlights an essential difference between Western and Eastern Christianity that exists even today. In Byzantium, gazing at icons was a religious, not an aesthetic experience, and physical veneration of manmade artworks and was not considered blasphemy--for most of Byzantium, anyway."

Tags:Turkish, Islam, conflict, medieval