Product Description

Castles, cathedrals, nobility, knights in shining armor, witches, dungeons, gothic splendor and almost constant war. The Middle Ages are all of that and more! This video tells the fascinating story of these thousand years of history, from around 500 A.D. to 1400 A.D. The Middle Ages are an incredibly dynamic period of history. So much of what we are familiar with today, from states to parliament to universities, came into being during this period. Originally called the "Dark Ages" by the people of the Renaissance, we now realize The Middle Ages were not "dark" at all, but a time that is distinct in its civilization - filled with grand, as well as miserable episodes. Scholars form Yale University and UCLA share their insights into leaders like Charlemagne, the power of the Papacy, the Crusades, and the lifestyle of the people who lived during this very diverse and fascinating age. It was an age of mysteries, of supernatural beliefs, witchcraft and fortunetellers. The church also played a key role in the lives of most Europeans; people's views of life and their place in it was much different than now. It was an age in which disease could -- and did -- wipe out a many as one third of the population! It was an age of religion, royal families, feudal lords and knights serfs, peasants, misery, poverty and warfare. From King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table to Attila the Hun. This video is a must-see for any student of history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47604 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-07-03
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 50 minutes

Customer Reviews

Just the Facts: The Middle Ages
This video is a good overview of the Middle Ages. It is a bit "stuffy" and does not have many "bells and whistles", but it gives good general information and would be best suited for secondary students. It came in handy for a basic review and refresher of information for myself before diving into the topic with my students.

Standard Coverage of the Time Period
I had hoped that this survey of the Middle Ages would enlighten the novice to the immense and terrifying power exerted by the Church over every aspect of life, but it didn't really give much perspective on this. Consequently it didn't serve my purposes well, and I found the commentators rather too sanguine about the Middle Ages, praising the tactical warfare of mounted knights (like adolescent boys) with virtually nothing critical to say about the superstitious, anti-intellectual, patriarchal, sexist and oppressive aspects of those times. One does better to watch The Name of the Rose.

the real truth liberals hate
This show is actualy more truthful in our christian hating atheistic culture so as to not blame ones unhapiness and problems on the church.The truth is the orthodoxy church was the central force of helping the people in the mid and early middleages. Ignorant atheists intilectuals whos lives suck should at least learn about history before they choose one to blame there problems on.