The Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages: Two Volume Set

The authoritative guide for scholars and research libraries to the period from the 5th century to the 15th, offering a wealth of information.


A major work of reference for scholars and libraries, The Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages offers a wealth of information available from no other single source, and providing precise and concise information on all aspects of the Middle Ages. The Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages is a tool of great value, a synthesis of knowledge covering the millennium from the fifth century to the fifteenth.

Cultural, religious, intellectual, social and political history are all covered, and while the main concentration is on Europe and Christendom, the rise of Islam and the Arabs, and of other cultures with which Europeans came into contact is also extensively treated.

Art and architecture (including the building of the great cathedrals), the growth of universities, developments in law and scientific discoveries are all treated in the same depth as political history. Archaeological, geographical, historical, linguistic, philosophical and theological topics receive full treatment. Biographies of monarchs, bishops and major intellectual figures are included, as are descriptions of varying lengths of major ideas and beliefs.

Translated into English by Adrian Walford, the Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages is the work of a team of over 600 scholars from more than forty nationalities. It contains over 3,000 articles, ranging from a few sentences to 10,000 word essays, and more than 600 illustrations, many in colour, and is thoroughly indexed. Substantial bibliographies attached to each entry provide access to fuller information. The Encyclopedia makes the great treasure house of knowledge of the medieval world easily accessible and the user, whether a scholar or merely an interested reader, will find the book an essential but easily accessible resource.

It is designed as a companion to the Encyclopedia of the Early Church, edited by Angelo di Berardino and published in 1992.

The Encyclopedia of the Middle Ages will be an essential reference work for all major libraries, and for specialist collections dealing with any aspect of the Middle Ages.

Published in conjunction with Citta Nuova (Italy) and Editions du Cerf (France).

Andre Vauchez is Director of the French School in Rome.