Medieval Europe: A Short Sourcebook

by C Warren Hollister, Marc A. Meyer, Joe W. Leedom

This collection contains only primary sources (original documents), some of which are translated into English for the first time. Its coverage, including the Late Middle Ages, should make it suitable supplement for courses in medieval history as well as courses in Western civilization. The editors have provided introductions for each selection, and their approach emphasizes teaching students critical interpretation of historical sources.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval, Medieval History

281 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1982

Reviews

[Narayan Dhakal]

Hollister’s work connect Asia to Europe in trade and culture. Asian luxury goods, such as silks and spices, were highly prized in medieval Europe, influencing European tastes, fashion, and even art. Artistic motifs and technologies (e.g., certain ceramics and textiles) also traveled along these trade routes. here is mention of the impact of imported Asian goods on European economies and social structures, particularly among the urban merchant classes. Interesting historical backgrounds of various European ethnicities.

[Karen]

Guess it is a good “short” sourcebook. Way more detail than I had in mind but managed to get thru it gritting my teeth. IE excruciatingly boring.

[Joey Brockert]

This book is an amazing little textbook. I was pleased to read the explanation of the growth and development of modern European nations. The most surprising part is the growth of civilization throughout the time we were taught were the Dark Ages. Something that is slurred across in most history classes is the age of Charlemagne, about 400 common era (c.e.) to about 900 or 950 c.e. I guess that it is not talked about because not much happened but invasions by Vandals or Attila or Saxons, but there were farms and communities developing (this is the era that beget villains from villagers). There was starvation, missionary work, development of monasteries and convents, etc. This book explained all this and more, making it a lot more interesting just by what it included.
There are not a lot of footnotes because this is a survey book, not a scholarly one. What is written about is well known and accepted as undisputed, so the footnotes would be unnecessary. He does have extensive bibliographies between sections for additional reading for concentrating on those issues or subjects. He does use footnotes to direct the reader to where he discusses the person or place otherwise, and to chide himself for errors he corrects. It is also very good that he explains where some of the names come from: Charlemagne or Plantagenet or Louis for example.
All in all, a really enjoyable book to read.

[Mark Anderson]

I am using this book to teach Ancient and Medieval History at Cal State San Bernardino this quarter on the recommendation of a colleague. Hollister et al. have assembled an excellent selection of important and engaging primary sources from the late ancient and medieval periods of European history. The historical introductions to each text are concise and the texts are short enough to read aloud during an in-class discussion. This is an excellent introduction to the sources for medieval history although, due to copyright difficulties, some of the English translations are dated.

[James]

Great jumping off point.

[Thomas Bundy]

Very good compilation of original source documents from the late Roman Empire to 1492.