Covering history's most marvelous millennium
Covering history's most marvelous millennium
This page contains all our reports regarding the Early Middle Ages.
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How did the Roman Empire lose the West? Learn about upstart Goths, disloyal Lombard and insolent Franks - all working with and against a court in Constantinople that was waging war on many, many fronts.
Byzantine emperor Justinian II lost both his crown and his nose, but staged a spectacular comeback to put himself back on the throne.
The very first caliph sent his star general Khalid ibn al-Walid - the "Sword of God" - to conquer Byzantine Syria, but the great city of Damascus stood in his way.
Olga of Kiev became ruler of the Rus' because her husband was killed in an uprising. She started her reign with a savage campaign against the rebels.
The third estate was the economic engine of the Middle Ages: most of its members worked the land, but through guilds, some grew into a burgeoning 'burgher' class.
Thought COVID was bad? People living through 536 experienced the worst time ever to be alive: volcanic eruptions, sudden climate change, and the first plague.
The 'bellatores', or "those who fight", were the second estate of medieval society. Through sheer military power, they imposed their will on the wider population.
European medieval society knew three estates. The clergy, or the 'oratores', were the first. Its members focused on spiritual matters, but could be found advising worldly lords as well.
What's more medieval than a castle? The era's most distinctive icon is firmly imprinted in our modern minds, but castles actually went through many interesting innovations!
