Complete with introductions, full commentary, glossary, and a guide to further reading, Medieval Worlds is a comprehensive sourc for the study of Western Europe from the fifth to the fifteenth century. Drawing on a wide range of documents, from chronicles, legal, state, and church documents, to biographies, poems, and letters from all over Europe, the authors expertly illustrate to the reader the unity – and complexity – of the medieval world. Amongst many more, central issues discussed include:the diverse world of monasteriesthe Papacythe Crusadeswomenthe roles of the town and countryside. Medieval Worlds presents the reader with a view of the medieval era as it was: one of immense diversity with openness to new ideas, and outreach in areas from technology to natural philosophy.