False Medieval Constructs

Historian Ramblings: Some incoherent rants and random thoughts I'm chewing on...

I frequently see articles and lists titled, “5 Common Myths About the Middle Ages,” or “10 Medieval Myths Debunked.” In my attempt to be relevant, I created my own list of false medieval constructs. These are ideas or concepts I used to believe were true or that I see prevalent today that need to be addressed.

1. Feudalism. It wasn’t a thing. Yeah, I know. It’s a word that’s almost synonymous with the Middle Ages. But it didn’t actually exist. Can you believe it?! I was shocked when I first heard. Obviously, in medieval academia this isn’t news. The non-existence of feudalism has been a thing for a while now in the ivory tower. But for us lowly general citizens who are usually “edumacated” through Hollywood and historical fiction novels, this truth has been out of reach for us. Popular opinion understands feudalism as a pyramidal medieval system where land was held in return for service (usually military). The wealthy landowning noble class was at the top, below them were people (aka vassals) who owed loyalty and service to them in exchange for land (aka fiefs) and protection. Two famous female medieval historians, Elizabeth Brown and Susan Reynolds, ruffled a lot of feathers by challenging the concept of feudalism, arguing it didn’t even exist, that historians have been misunderstanding the primary sources. Gotta love their courage and gumption to challenge the existing narrative! They caused quite a stir. But since their work, their position has become widely accepted. Feudalism is now the “F word” in medieval history departments.

   1. Recommended Reading:

      1. Fiefs and Vassals by Susan Reynolds

      2. “Tyranny of a Construct” by Elizabeth A.R. Brown

2. The Roman Empire Collapsed. It didn’t actually fall or collapse. Again, popular belief is that the Roman Empire collapsed around the fifth century, leaving a power vacuum in Western Europe. Without the civilized, bureaucratic institution of the Roman Empire to run things, Western Europe descended into a lawless, chaotic dark age, that was over run by a bunch of barbarians. This is all hotly debated. But in my opinion, this is not what happened. Firstly, the Roman Empire didn’t go anywhere. The Western half slowly declined and withdrew from Western Europe refocusing and consolidating their efforts and influence eastward. Secondly, the Eastern Roman Empire continued for centuries, gradually being identified to us as the Byzantine Empire. Also to note, this is the time period known as Late Antiquity, a relatively new term that gained traction in the 70s by the famous historian Peter Brown. It’s the idea that it was a time of changes and continuities, renewal, growth, and transformation. It views the era in a more positive light. Late Antiquity (aka the Early Middle Ages) is my favorite period in history!

   1. Recommended Reading:

      1. The Inheritance of Rome by Chris Wickham

      2. The Making of Late Antiquity by Peter Brown

      3. Empires and Barbarians by Peter Heather

      4. The Oxford Handbook of Late Antiquity ed. by Scott Fitzgerald Johnson

3. It was the Dark Ages. The Middle Ages were not dark. Many refer to it as the dark ages due to a lack of written source material, inhibiting us from knowing exactly how things played out. Others point to the decline in literacy, economic hardship, and an idea of lawlessness and violence. They highlight the harsh living conditions, poverty, hunger, plague, oppression of women, etc. But couldn’t this be seen in many different time periods over the course of human history? The Middle Ages span an entire millennia, A LOT HAPPENED. From medicinal and scientific discoveries, to navigation techniques and world exploration and global trade, to political and government developments and institutions, to brilliant and awe inducing artwork, music, and literature. Thanks to the Middle Ages we have mechanical clocks, windmills, the printed word, the compass, eyeglasses, gunpowder (unfortunately), and the astrolabe (look it up, its so cool!). Frequently, I nerd out on all the amazing things that came out of the Middle Ages. But it’s important not to naively romanticize it. We simply need a shift to a more balanced view so that we understand it was not entirely dark.

   1. Recommended Reading:

      1. The Bright Ages by Matthew Gabriele & David M. Perry

      2. The Light Ages: The Surprising Story of Medieval Science by Seb Falk

4. Women weren’t exceptional in the Middle Ages. They weren’t, that’s true, but not in the way you think! What I mean is that there are countless examples of women from all regions, in all centuries, in many different social and economic classes that don’t fit our modern understanding of the supposed misogyny of the Middle Ages. We assumed that the patriarchal systems restricted women in the Middle Ages and it absolutely did. However, it would be incorrect to assume women couldn’t supersede these preconceived societal standards. In fact, there are many stories of women operating outside those restricted roles or doing amazing things while remaining within their restricted roles. So many stories that prove exceptional women were ubiquitous! Several years ago I found this beautiful thing called the “Beyond Exceptionalism” Movement. Its objective is “the acceptance of female public agency, authority, and power as a “non-story” in medieval society, without losing sight of the predominant patriarchy and accepted misogyny.” The more I’ve studied medieval history, the more I’ve seen this to be true. I have yet to come across a period in medieval history where I haven’t been able to find women shocking my preconceived expectations for them. Some of my favorite medieval women who have captured my heart for their tenacity, resilience, and ingenuity are Queen Balthild, Eleanore of Aquitaine, Hildegard of Bingen, Galla Placidia, Marguerite Porete, and Queen Melisende.

   1. Recommended Reading:

      1. Gendering the Master Narrative: Women & Power in the Middle Ages by Mary Erler & Maryanne Kowaleski

      2. Medieval Elite Women and the Exercise of Power, 1100–1400: Moving beyond the Exceptionalist Debate ed. by Heather J. Tanner

5. The Crusades were holy wars between Christians against Muslims in the Holy Land. Guys, they were soooo much more. As I’ve studied the Crusades I’ve been exposed to a lot of new information and ways of thinking about the Crusades. For one, they weren’t just in the Holy Land against Muslims. They were carried out in other parts of the world (e.g. Baltic Sea, Eastern Byzantium, France) against other peoples (even against other Christians seen as a threat in some way to the Church). There are even different schools of thought on how to define the Crusades based on their causes and goals. There are multiple camps: traditionalism, materialism, generalism, popularism, and pluralism. Scholars straddle different camps and change their opinions throughout their careers. There is much myth and prejudice attached to the term “Crusades.” It’s a mottled term and can be dangerous to use. It has also been misused and abused when the concept/idea is misappropriated for nefarious reasons (I’m looking at you white nationalists!). It’s imperative we learn more about them and gain a better understanding of what they were.

   1. Recommended Reading:

      1. The Crusades: A Very Short Introduction by Christopher Tyerman

      2. The Crusades: A History by Jonathan Riley-Smith

6. The Battle of Tours/Poitiers was one of the “15 Decisive Battles in History.” Charles Martel’s victory at the Battle of Poitiers (or Tours) in 732 (or 733) was way more anti-climactic than you’d think. This is for all of those fans who like to study famous battles and the shifting power dynamics between states/kingdoms/etc. But I’m also using it to highlight another concern I have in regards to medieval history in general—see my side note below! If you read the more accessible history sources on the Battle of Poitiers/Tours, you will get one narrative: It was a decisive battle, led by the brilliant and heroic Charles Martel, who halted Islamic expansion into Western Europe by defeating the Arab armies before they poured into what is now modern day France. Edward Gibbon claims it is due to Martel’s success at the Battle of Poitiers that the Quran isn’t being taught at Oxford…his victory is what kept Western Europe Roman rather than Arab. But if you read academic history sources, you will get a different narrative. To scholars, there is too much ambiguity about the battle to say anything remotely definitive about it. They point out how each narrative about the battle serves the agenda of its author. The location of the battle is unknown. The exact date is unknown. The issues go on and on. This popular opinion is in stark contrast to the academic understanding of what happened.

   1. Recommended Reading:

      1. Known Unknowns: The Major Sources for the Battle of Tours by Fraser McNair and Sam Ottewill-Soulsby

      2. “The Making of World Historical Moment: The Battle of Tours (732/3) in the Nineteenth Century” by James T. Palmer in Postmedieval 10, 206–218 (2019)

   2. SIDE NOTE: This is one of those things that frustrates me about history. There is a chasm between popular opinion of history and academic history. There are discussions being had in academia about historical topics, even consensus in the need for correcting misinterpretations of historical narratives, but these conversations don’t trickle into popular opinion. We must build a bridge to allow both camps to engage in the same debates. We must forge connections and encourage engagement, allowing all a seat at the same table. If we don’t, we are allowing the general population to believe false narratives and hold misconceptions that could easily be corrected. If only academic articles/journals/books were more readily accessible to the general public and if historians did more to engage with popular history and not just with themselves. Whew, ok I’ll get off my soap box. But please think about free access to academic work and the benefits of places such as Substack where both camps can congregate and mingle! It’s worth a thought!

So there you have it. That’s my list. I’m sure it will grow as I continue to dive deep into medieval history. What about you? Are any of these new to you? Or, are they just common sense and I’m the only novice around here? Would you add another one, if so, what would it be? Please comment and contribute your thoughts and opinions!