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Readings12 Unabridged ChaptersYears 3–6 (Form II/III)

The Story of the Middle Ages

By Samuel B. Harding (1901)

From the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the barbarian migrations to Clovis, Charlemagne, the feudal castle, the Crusades, and the rise of towns.

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Chapter 1: The Roman World and the Barbarians

The decaying empire and the fierce German tribes in the northern forests across the Rhine.

The Roman World and the Barbarians

The decaying empire and the fierce German tribes in the northern forests across the Rhine.

[Complete Public Domain Work — Pre-1928 Edition.]

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Table of Contents

12 Chapters

Every chapter below is pre-indexed for oral narration and easy 1-click scheduling into your weekly Charlotte Mason lesson plan.

1

Chapter 1: The Roman World and the Barbarians

The decaying empire and the fierce German tribes in the northern forests across the Rhine.

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2

Chapter 2: Alaric the Goth and the Sack of Rome

The golden capital captured; the Gothic king buried beneath the diverted waters of the River Busento.

3

Chapter 3: Attila the Scourge of God

The wild Hun horsemen sweep into Gaul; the decisive clash on the Catalaunian Plains.

4

Chapter 4: Clovis and the Baptism of the Franks

The king's vow on the battlefield of Tolbiac; Saint Remigius baptizing three thousand Frankish warriors.

5

Chapter 5: The Monks of Saint Benedict

Ora et Labora: prayer, labor, and the copying of ancient manuscripts in the scriptorium.

6

Chapter 6: Mohammed and the Rise of Islam

The merchant of Mecca; the rapid sweep across North Africa to the Pyrenees.

7

Chapter 7: Charles the Hammer at Tours (732 AD)

Charles Martel stands like an iron wall against the Muslim cavalry, preserving Christian Europe.

8

Chapter 8: Charlemagne the Great Emperor

Crowned in Saint Peter's on Christmas Day 800 AD; building schools and gathering scholars like Alcuin.

9

Chapter 9: The Northmen in Their Longships

Vikings raiding river valleys; the settlement of Normandy under Rollo the Walker.

10

Chapter 10: The Life of the Castle and the Knight

Pages, squires, the vigil of arms, and the sacred code of Christian chivalry.

11

Chapter 11: The Crusades: The Council of Clermont

Pope Urban's call: 'God wills it!'; Godfrey of Bouillon taking Jerusalem.

12

Chapter 12: The Cathedral Builders and the Guilds

Gothic vaults and stained glass rose windows built by the humble faith of town stonemasons.

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