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Those Terrible Middle Ages: Debunking the Myths

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When the average person thinks about the "Middle Ages", that period from about 500 to 1500 AD commonly called the "Dark Ages", they usually have visions of gore, torture, famine and poverty. Is that a correct understanding?

Régine Pernoud, the famed French historian and archivist (1909-1999), writes that it is not. The author of numerous books about the Middle Ages, including widely acclaimed books about Joan of Arc and other women of the period, Pernoud is not afraid to express her anger and frustration with the lack of accurate teaching about the Middle Ages. She causticially notes that the "Middle Ages is privileged material: one can say what one wants about it with the quasi-certitude of never being contradicted." Although originally published in 1977 and intended for a French audience, "Those Terrible Middle Ages!" is both a helpful introduction to the real Middle Ages and a fine commentary on the importance of a sound education in history, something many Americans would be all the better for having.

Although the book (the translation?) occasionally reads awkwardly, Pernoud's ability to right the record by turning stereotypes and fallacies upside down shines through. Her major concern is that what passes for an education in history within public schools is often little more than a string of stereotypes held together by the glue of gullibility: "The Middle Ages still signifies: a period of ignorance, mindlessness, or generalized underdevelopment, even if this was the only period of underdevelopment during which cathedrals were built!" She laments that the strides made in scholarship in this area have yet to reach the general public, a situation which hasn't changed much since the 1970s, at least on this side of the Atlantic.

Pernoud's central argument is that the revival of Roman law and the infatuation with Greek and Roman culture which occurred in France and much of western Europe during the sixteenth century resulted in an eclipse, even destruction, of all that had existed between the "two periods of light: antiquity and the Renaissance. . ." The intermediate period (the "middle" age) quickly became viewed as "crude" and "dark", failing to measure up to the eternal standards of ancient Greece and Rome. For instance, in the realm of art the result was "an anathema on the Middle Ages. All that was not in conformity with Greek or Latin modeling was mercilessly rejected" and even purposefully targeted for destruction. Ironically, the great cathedrals were all built during the Middle Ages; in addition, the literary forms of the epic and the novel were both products of the same era, as well as the bound book ("codex"), which replaced the use of scrolls.

Yet the facts show again and again that the Middle Ages, far from being completely ignorant or dim-witted, produced scholars of astounding learning such as Isidore of Seville, Bede the Venerable, Gregory of Tours and Hildegarde of Bingen. The latter, a woman, is not, as Pernoud demonstrates, an exception. Many women religious were accomplished scholars, theologians and even leaders. Just one example is Petronilla of Chemillé, an abbess who presided over convents of both women and men-at the ripe old age of twenty-two! Far from being a time when women were "oppressed" and "marginalized", the Middle Ages witnessed an amazing flowering of the feminine in the Church, society and home. It was no coincidence that the MIddle Ages also witnessed a remarkable growth in devotion to the Virgin Mary and other female saints. It was in the seventeenth century that women began to lose privileges and authority, essentially reverting to the status of property under the revived Roman Law. A similar situation occurred with slavery, which had died out during the Middle Ages but emerged again with the "colonial expansion that characterized the classical period." As Pernoud takes pains to show, the feudal system was a far cry from slavery-despite modern misconceptions--and was a way of life built upon honor, specific rights and a deep commitment to the agrarian life.

Pernoud also addresses the two issues most commonly mentioned in ordinary conversation about the Middle Ages: the Crusades and the Inquisition. The former she touches on much too briefly; her examination of the latter emphasizes historical context and provides a general overview of that context, especially the role of the Cathars and dualism, but one wishes she would have spent far more time on both subjects, especially since they are so misunderstood and such a significant part of the faulty perspectives people have about the Middle Ages. The last two chapters are worth the price alone, excellent essays focused on the necessity of studying and appreciating history because, as Pernoud remarks, "History does not furnish any solutions, but it permits--and it alone permits--us to pose the problems correctly. Now everyone knows that a problem posed correctly is already half solved . . . There is no true knowledge without recourse to history."

This volume is certainly a fine "recourse to history" and while not perfect, is a excellent, popular introduction to an era that is unfairly maligned and under-appreciated.

Regine Pernoud stoutly defends this most maligned of historical periods in this splendid book. She clearly shows how mistaken are the ideas about the middle ages as a period of ignorance and superstition. She writes eloquently about the glories of the middle ages, the wonderful cathedrals and abbeys, illuminated manuscripts, music and poetry. She shows how nonsensical is the myth of the 'renaissance' the alleged rediscovery of classical learning. The peopleof the medieval period were quite familiar with classical authors, they simply didn't feel the need to copy them slavishly, unlike the people of the supposedly enlightened period that followed. Nor was the Middle Ages a period of static social order, as she points out, the son of goatherds became a Pope. A very revealing passage describes how the old medieval mystery plays, performed by the guilds, were outlawed due to the jealousy of the professional theatre, actors disliked the idea of 'common people' being allowed to act for the benefit of other common people. The famed 'renaissance' was actually a period of regression, when the common people were deprived of liberties they had enjoyed in previous centuries, and the position of women in particualr became very much more restricted due to the influence of classical misogyny. This is a terrific book, take advantage of Amazon's offer and buy this with Women in the Age of the Cathedrals, they are both marvellous books.

Despite what you've learned in Western history class, the Middle Ages was not a generation lost to poverty, slavery, serfdom and plague. Regine Pernoud in Those Terrible Middle Ages gives a good short history of the culture, society, art and architectural progress during 500 to 1500.

What we hear is so little compared to the length of time that period covers - a millenium. Pernoud does a good job in explaining the Inquisition - why society allowed it to begin, how it progressed, etc., as she clarifies the role of the Catholic Church, rightly pointing out that during much of the time period the popes were hiding and trying to survive, not politically ruling the West with terror and money-grabbing hands.

The place of women and their loss of rights near the end of the Middles ages when the ruling and educational systems of society returned to the ideas of old Roman law (much of which we still live with today) was a surprising element.

You'll want to read it twice to catch all the facts.

Regine Pernoud's book THOSE TERRIBLE MIDDLE AGES:DEBUNKING THE MYTHS is a brief but instructive book which both undermines popular history (popular nonsense) of the loosely defined Middle Ages (c.500-1500 AD). This book refers to documents and the use of reason to debunk the notion that the Middle Ages were sterile and oppressive. One should note that Miss Pernoud also gives her readers an important lesson on how to learn history and how to produce historical works.

Father Buckley, SJ, has a short but useful forward to this book. He gives examples of a brilliant age during which people saw the abolition of slavery, "checks and balances" on abosolutism, great architecture (the Gothic Cathedrals), the invention of the codex (bound book), the musical scale, and the mechanical clock. He could have easily included the development of bookhand or standard penmanship, and the remarkable achievement of Scholastic Philosophy and its insistence on logic and clear reason.

Among the myths that have been perpetuated is that of the Medieval serfs. These people lived better than slaves during Ancient History, and these people had absolute rights such as access to their land. These men and women could not be removed from their land. While these people could not easily leave, they did indeed have social mobility. Furthermore, Miss Pernoud refers to documents such as deeds, bills of sale, etc., whereby serfs, including women, expanded their land holdings and could improve social mobility. She indicates that some who were serfs were able to go the Medieval monastic schools and later universities and rise in the rank of the Catholic Church and political structure. Miss Pernoud cites women such as Heliose, Peter Abelard's wife, who knew Latin and Greek and composed literary works.

Another myth re the Middle Ages is that of the status of women. Miss Pernoud cites documents of women who were in certain trades and businesses. The Catholic Church authorities were very opposed to arranged marriages,and the Canon Law jurists argued that since marriage was a Holy Sacrament which had to be voluntary, arranged marriages were not binding at least in theory. This is not to say that the Catholic authorites prevented arranged marriages. One should note that women of noble birth could be rulers and queens. One should note that St. Louis' mother was his active regeant until he could assume power and ruled from 1226 to 1270. Women who entered the religious life held land tenure and even controlled both convents and monastaries. Miss Pernoud invites readers to look at documents and sources rather than media nonsense whose talking heads have little or no knowledge of anything.

Miss Pernoud destroys the notion that Medieval women did not have souls. Those who propagate this nonsense refuse to acknowledge the number of Medieval women who achieved sainthood. Miss Pernoud again refers readers to documents rather than popular history (popular nonsense).

One should also note Miss Pernoud's remarks on Medieval law and contractual arrangements. The idea of a Medieval king being an absolute monarch was almost impossible. Kings, lords, and vassals had obligations and rights in their legal and political relations which limited trends towards absolute power. The Catholic Church authorities also worked to inhibit trends of centralized power.

Another important issue that Miss Pernoud examines is that of the Inquisition which has been so badly portrayed. A Medieval inquisition was simply an invesitation based on some problem or complaint. It was simply an attempt of the Catholic authorities to investigate and possibly solve problems. Those who cite the Catholic authorities prosecuting heretics as some sort of evil obviously have little knowledge about the challenge a well organized heretical movement presented. Of particular interest is the challenge presented by the Albigensians. When these heretics caught the attention of the Catholic authorities during the late 12th and early 13th centuries (the 1100s and 1200s), the Catholic authorities made an investigation and did not apply sanctions. However, when Catholic repesentatives were murdered, the Catholic authorities had to act. One must also realize that the Albigensians had political and military support from the southern French and northern Spanish nobility who were only interested in land and conquest. One must also understand that the Albigensains were so dualistic that they were fanatical and dangerous. The Albigensians were opposed to contrats in an age when rights and security were based on contractual relations. Miss. Pernoud mentions that the Albigensians worked against anything that promoted life such as marriage and birth. For these heretics to murder pregnant women or the elderaly was common as the Albigensians destroyed anyone who promoted life. To use a current expression, the Albigensians endorsed the culture of death.

Miss Pernoud uses modern examples of modern inquisitions even though they do not go by that name. Rights groups and humanitarian organizations often make investigations (inquisitions) into serious problems and incidents. These moderns then make suggestions or recommendations. The comparison is obvious.

Another aspect of the inquisitions is one of comparison. Miss Pernoud is clear that very few of those summoned by Medieval inquisitions were even sanctioned or punished. Yet, the 20th century moderns witnessed mass murder, concentration camp brutality, mass slaughter of civilians, etc., all in the name of political ideology and affiliation. One should note that that Medieval inquisitors had to honor due process and paid careful attention to evidence to avoid unjust prosecutions. As Miss Pernoud indicates the abuses of the Inquisiton came later during the eras of the Renaissance/Reformation and the Age of Absolutism. When secular authorities got control of the Inquisiton after the Middle Ages, the abuses mulitiplied. One should note that Catholic authorities protested these abuses.

When popular media types talk about the Renaissance, they betray their lack of knowledge as Miss Pernoud clearly indicates. The Renaissance scholars did not add the Latin and Greek learning. They simply repeated it. On the other hand, the Medieval Scholastics embellished Ancient Greek thought and Latin learning. Medieval vernacular learning was rich and creative,but the Renaissance literature was simply too structured and to imitative of the Ancient Greeks and Romans.

Finally, Miss Pernoud examines the historical methods. Essentially, she argues that history without documents is simply empty opinion and so much propganda and nonsense. One should note that Miss Pernoud gives readers brief excerpts of manuscripts, documents, etc., which refute Media Land historical nonsense.

Obviously, this reviewer is impressed with Miss Pernoud's THOSE TERRIBLE MIDDLE AGES: DEBUNKING THE MYTHS. She carefully makes her case as a historian should. She is clear that historical study should not be politicized nor pander to popular bias. One should read this book to find why, "A man of science, the historian is, delegated by his fellow man to the conquest of truth (p 141). Miss Pernoud makes this quote meaningful.

Regine Pernoud's Those Terrible Middle Ages! is a wonderful book. Throughout one's life you always hear the usual myths about the period of history known as "The Middle Ages." Pernoud shows that the Middle Ages were a time, for the most part, of peace and learning. She brilliantly shows that the Middle Ages were a time of wonder and acomplishment and juxtaposes that against the cynicism and skepticism brought on by the so-called "Age of Enlightment." This book should be in every history lover's library. Keep it handy when someone, who usually has not actually read a history book, spews forth on the following subjects, women in the "dark ages," the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, witches and cats and the usual nonsense one hears from the unread and uninformed nowadays.

...but it permits--and it alone permits--us to pose the problems correctly."

This book is not only a wonderful debunking of the popular myths used to define the Middle Ages, but, in the last chapter, a wonderful justification of the importance of the study of history (though if you are interested in reading this book then you probably already believe in history's importance).

The entire work is wonderfully researched and, even through the admitedly sometimes rough translation, Pernoud's passion for her subject is obvious. The book is both informative and entertaining, and it is a wonderful book to use to introduce oneself to the subject of the Middle Ages while avoiding the negative mythology of that era that is expounded in public school or other books (such as A World Lit Only by Fire).

The Middle Ages were not, as often is thought, a horrible period marked by ignorance, famine, plague, and constant war. At least no more than any other period is marked by those things. This book clearly proves that point and does it in a fantastically entertaining way.

This volume sheds valuable light on a much misunderstood and maligned era in history. I would like to point out that all the other reviewers have liked the book, but one gave the admittedly at times rough *translation* a one-star review, which has misleadingly lowered the collective average. To gain a new perspective on this age with this book will certainly be worth discreetly overlooking the translator's occasional indiscretions.

I cannot think of another explanation why this book isn't more widely known. This is ought to be a milestone in historical analysis. You will never see the Middle Ages or the Renaissance in the same light again.

Art. Literature. Education. Politics. Social justice. The author makes a compelling case as to why the Renaissance actually produced regression in all these areas, and explains how the prejudices arose which have led us to believing otherwise. She does not bore you with minutiae or extensive footnotes which makes for quick reading, but she writes with the authority of one who doesn't need fastidious documentation to make her point. She clearly has read almost everything that has been written from these periods and unquestionably knows what she is talking about.

If you are looking for a book that will shatter your preconceptions about anything and stimulate your mind, this is it.

Whether you use the original French version or this translation, the book is well worth the effort and time! She addresses her subject without apology and with humor. It is definitely a book for the layman who has had only public school history and thus warped in historical thought. She gives a clear link to Celtic law that almost all historians miss and modern day Roman law advocates would prefer you miss.

I found Regine Pernoud's views on what we call the Middle Ages exceptionally good to read. This is not because I know that she is always "right", but rather because I was continually getting glimpses of another world where so many of the cultural forces that we take for granted today were either not there or working very differently. For example, no one in the "Middle Ages" could have produced an appreciation of a woman's work in the home based on its money value, like one attempt to do so that I heard on the radio the other day, and we would do well to sit up and take notice.

When I listen closely to Pernoud, I come to realize that even those things we are taught are unchangeable--how things are--about this world (things like the preeminence of money and power, of highly centralized governments and nations) are not unchangeable at all.

I find hope in that.