Global Medieval Contexts 500 – 1500 by Klimek, Kimberly; Troyer, Pamela; Davis-Secord, Sarah;

Short description:

This textbook explores vital networks and relationships among geographies and cultures that shaped medieval societies. Designed for students new to the subject, this second edition has been fully updated to include expanded coverage of Africa, the Americas, Australasia, Korea, and Jewish culture.

Long description:

This textbook explores vital networks and relationships among geographies and cultures that shaped medieval societies. Designed for students new to the subject, this second edition has been fully updated to include expanded coverage of Africa, the Americas, Australasia, Korea, and Jewish cultures.

The expert author team advances a global view of the period, introducing the reader to histories and narratives beyond a European context. A new chapter called “Perspectives” has been added which defines theoretical approaches to the material and considers changes in how we interpret history.

Key Features:

• Divided into chronological sections, chapters are organized by four key themes: religion, economics, politics, and society. This framework enables students to connect wider ideas and debates across 500 to 1500.


• Individual chapters address current theoretical discussions, including issues around gender, migration, sustainable environments, race, and intercultural religious spaces.


• The authors’ combined teaching experience and subject specialties ensure an engaging and accessible overview for students of history, literature, and those undertaking general studies courses.


• Full-color maps and images illustrate chapter content and support understanding.

As a result, this text is essential reading for all those interested in learning more about the histories and cultures of the period, as well as their relevance to our own contemporary experiences and perspectives.

This textbook is supported by a companion website providing core resources for students and lecturers.

Praise for the first edition

'The book that many of us have long been waiting for: a collection of materials, generously framed for both instructors and students, for teaching history and culture c. 500–1500 from a global perspective. Rich in comparisons, contrasts, and entanglements, the texts collected here bring the diversity of the past to life for students. Interdisciplinary, engaging, and thoroughly accessible, Global Medieval Contexts connects past to present in illuminating and exciting ways.'

Dr Jeffrey J. Cohen, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University, USA

'Global Medieval Contexts takes us on a breathtaking tour across time and space as it redraws the contours of the medieval world map in a novel way that ties cultures, peoples, and places. It is a stimulating and timely read that points back to the medieval world, only to point forward to current issues and debates. Thanks to the global and interdisciplinary aspect of the book, students anywhere in the world can find something to relate to. The book arouses curiosity, raises questions, and changes perspectives. While emphasizing diversity, Global Medieval Contexts emphasizes our basic human sameness.'

Dr Sally Abed, Alexandria University, Egypt

'Global Medieval Contexts offers instructors and students a rich mosaic of the premodern world, building on thematic strands connecting disparate cultures. Equally comfortable discussing themes and objects, ranging from sails to sculptures, the authors present a range of entry-points for student discussion and analysis. Although the topics have considerable cultural breadth, the underlying global perspective is clear while the writing and framing make them accessible to a range of students, from those enrolled in first-year surveys to more advanced courses specifically on the medieval period.'

Dr Edward Schoolman, University of Nevada, USA

Table of Contents:

Section 1: Orientation  1. Orientation  Section 2: 500–900  2. People of the Book  3. Caravan and Dhow  4. The Sword and the Pen  5. Peasant Nature  Section 3: Perspectives  6. Perspectives  Section 4: 900–1300  7. Pathways to Paradise  8. For Sale  9. The Price of Security  10. Class Rites  Section 5: 1300–1500  11. Devotion  12. Golden Opportunities  13. Boundaries  14. Everyone Believes It Is the End of the World