Drawing upon on a wealth of knowledge, discovery, research, and technical advances, this historical book dispels the common misconception of the "Dark Ages" as an era of chaos and violence. Redefining everything from the role of the Vikings to the supposed rigidity of the feudal system, this eminent archaeologist demolishes many of the myths about medieval Britain. Readers will learn that the Middle Ages were far from static; the two centuries following the Black Death epidemic of 1348, were a time of diversity, transition, and growth. Engaging and scholarly, this book reintroduces the reader to an era that gave birth to the modern world.