This episode of History 102 explores the European Middle Ages, its misunderstood aspects, technological and social advancements, and critical events.
This episode of History 102 explores the European Middle Ages, its misunderstood aspects, technological and social advancements, and critical events. WhatifAltHist creator Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg discover how the seemingly "dark" medieval era set the stage for the scientific revolution, the age of exploration, and the rise of modern Europe.
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FOLLOW ON X:
@whatifalthist (Rudyard)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@TurpentineMedia
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:23) Setting the Stage: The European Middle Ages
(03:58) Misconceptions About the Middle Ages
(05:29) The High Middle Ages: Society and Innovations
(14:12) Feudalism and Social Structures
(28:34) Sponsor: Beehiiv
(29:17) Political Dynamics in Medieval Europe
(40:10) The Decline of the Middle Ages
(43:39) The Black Death and Its Aftermath
(46:53) Legacy of the Middle Ages
(1:01:29) Conclusion and Book Recommendations
(1:02:51) Wrap
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Recommended Books:
The Rise of the West: A History of the Human Community by William H. McNeill
A Short History of the Middle Ages by Barbara Rosenwein
A Secular Age by Charles Taylor
Europe Emerges: Transition Toward an Industrial World-Wide Society, 600-1750 by Robert L. Reynolds