Focusing on the exciting and turbulent thousand-year period that separated the fall of the Roman Empire from the sixteenth century Age of Discovery. Such fascinating personalities as Charlemagne, Eric the Red, Pope Gregory the Great, Eleanor of Aquitaine, King Richard the Lion-hearted, and Joan of Arc are featured along with many others who so profoundly influenced the development of western culture. Their dramatic acts are set against a colorful backdrop of tournaments, crusades, castle sieges, and village fairs. The Early Times Series is written for students in grades 5-8, each of the six texts in this series provides a comprehensive overview of a particular culture. The evolution of political thought, economics, science, art and literature are made to come alive for young readers through the author's detailed descriptions of everyday life and provocative portraits of key personalities. Every chapter is followed by review questions, Ideas to think about and Projects.