Rattle through 1000 years of horrible history, from the fifth century to the sixteenth centuryFamine, plague and public execution - the medieval period wasn't the best time for some, but heroic rulers like Charlemagne, William the Conqueror and Henry V made sure that it was full of action. Brimming with facts, this book helps you get under the skin of the people who lived at the time, from impoverished peasants to opulent monarchs. From the Dark Ages to the Renaissance and all the upheavals in between, this book takes the pain out of medieval history. The Black Death - assess the deadly pandemic that swept through Britain and Europe killing millions of peopleThe Holy Roman Empire strikes back - understand how the empire fought to maintain its positionFalling apart - witness the arrival of powerful armies from the east and invaders from the north, and the dramatic effects of religious schismsHeading for the Holy Land - uncover the reasons why crusading became so popular, and ultimately so unsuccessful, between the eleventh and fourteenth centuriesLiving in the medieval world - understand the lives of monks and monarchs, peasants and popes, and travellers and traders of the periodWaging conflicts, battles and wars - a look through the troubles that shaped the medieval age; from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Wars of the RosesOpen the book and find: Why the peasants revoltedWhere Chaucer gained inspiration to write The Canterbury TalesWhich religious groups fought for powerHow the Magna Carta shaped our present-day legal systemWhy the Vikings may have got to America before ColumbusProfiles of the best and worst medieval monarchsHow Joan of Arc made her nameThe great and grisly histories of surviving medieval castlesGo to Dummies.com for videos, step-by-step examples, how-to articles or to shop!