The late Middle Ages, Prof. Philip Daileader,
(24 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture /  4x DVD - The Great Courses)
 
The first half of the course focuses on the "Era of Calamity," a period from approximately 1300 to 1500 marked by staggering disasters that challenged the foundations of European society. Professor Daileader examines the catastrophic impact of the Black Death, which decimated populations and triggered widespread social and economic revolts in both towns and the countryside. Political and religious stability further collapsed during the grueling Hundred Years War and the Great Papal Schism, a crisis that saw multiple rival popes fighting for authority. These lectures provide a vivid account of how life felt for individuals living through these upheavals, from the fall of the Templars to the rising tide of witchcraft accusations. 

The second half of the series shifts toward the "Era of Rebirth," exploring the intellectual and technological shifts that paved the way for the modern world. You will learn about the rise of Renaissance Humanism, the revolutionary impact of the printing press, and the introduction of gunpowder in warfare. The course highlights influential figures who bridged the gap between ages, such as the mystic Catherine of Siena, the pioneering author Christine de Pizan, and the explorer Christopher Columbus. In his final lectures, Daileader explores the Age of Exploration and the fall of the Byzantine Empire, concluding with a provocative discussion on why the Middle Ages may not have truly ended until as late as the 18th or 19th centuries.
 
Enhance your collection with a resource that bridges the past and the present, reflecting the essence of Book Archaeology’s passion for education and history.