Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages

In this engaging and monumental work, Jones (The Templars; The Plantagenets) chronicles over a thousand years of European history. He establishes two aims: first, to explore the different powers that shaped the medieval world; and second, to entertain readers. In both respects, the work is successful. The “powers” Jones discusses include the standard kings, queens, popes, knights and other expected players from medieval Europe, but also merchants, monks, and the impact of climate. A chapter on the rise of Islam particularly stands out, as Jones gives the religion and its practitioners fair attention and assessment. In many popular medieval histories, Islam is something that happens to Western Europeans; in this work, Islam and Muslims are discussed in terms of their own agency and history. While there is much to cover, the work doesn’t overwhelm, thanks to its thematically organized chapters that follow a relatively loose chronology. Footnotes with modern comparisons and witty asides adorn most chapters; not every reader will appreciate their style. The book’s illustrations and historical maps add deeper context.