conversations.from: human
conversations.value: a description for a book titled Medieval History For Dummies about Rattle with the genre: History, World
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Rattle through 1000 years of horrible history, from the fifthcentury to the sixteenth century
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: the first five paragraphs for this book. End with the sentence ' Whatever you decide, I hope you have fun!'.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Medieval History For Dummies
  In this part I show how Medieval Europe changed during the thirteenth century. This period was a time when kings were increasingly coming under pressure to give power to the nobles who served them. Some, like the weak King John of England, gave in, and parliament was created. The period also saw a massive explosion in trade as the wealthy city states of Italy began to expand their interests across the Mediterranean, taking advantage of the inroads made by Crusaders. This period also saw big changes in the Church with monasteries and religious movements becoming increasing influential. In fact, the papacy argued so much that it split with itself and several people claimed to be pope at the same time. I also tackle the grim story of the Black Death, the plague that devastated Europe for a decade and killed more than 75 million people.
  When did the Middle Ages come to an end? It's a great question and in Part V I take a look at the final events, when the medieval period began to merge into the Renaissance. I recount the Hundred Years' War between England and France and the amazing battles that took place at Crecy and Agincourt. I also spend some time with the Peasants' Revolt in England, when the downtrodden had finally had enough and the Lollard movement saw them storming London and demanding change. The part ends with a chapter on the fifteenth century when the Middle Ages ceased to be: the Renaissance in Italy, the end of the Byzantine Empire and the voyages of Christopher Columbus resulted in a whole new world.
  The final part contains five brief chapters in which I give you some ideas of people and places to explore next. You can find a chapter on some of the worst kings of the medieval period (for which a lot of competition exists) as well as a chapter dedicated to ten people who really changed the world. Check out my list of the best medieval castles that you can still visit today, along with some of the more curious and unpleasant practices in which medieval people engaged. Something for everybody!
  However, each of the chapters is also like an individual essay on a specific topic, and so if you already know a bit about medieval history you can just jump straight in with a topic that interests you. For example, if you're keen on the Crusades, go straight to Part III, or if you want to find out about Joan of Arc, have a look at Chapter 23.
  Alternatively, you can start with the Part of Tens, see what grabs your interest and then refer back to the relevant chapter or part. Whatever you decide, I hope you have fun!
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conversations.value: five more paragraphs
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conversations.value: After the fall of Edessa, the situation changed in Europe, and the stakes rose even higher. Although it didn't impact too much on Outremer, the fall of the first Crusader state created a big splash in Europe, which had grown used to stories of Frankish success.
  In 1145 Bishop Hugh of Jebail led an embassy from Outremer to Pope Eugenius III in Rome. Hugh presented the fears of the people of Outremer and requested help. Pope Eugenius went straight to the heart of the matter and decided the quickest way to help was a new Crusade. He is unlikely to have viewed it as the 'Second Crusade', which is more a modern term. Contemporary people would have just regarded it as another Crusade.
  Eugenius III acted quickly and addressed a letter to the French king, Louis VII and the whole of the French nobility.
  In other words: crusade now – pay later! Eugenius was offering the deal of a lifetime. Not only were the nobility able to save their souls by going on Crusade, but they also had the personal guarantee of the pope to protect them and their property financially while they sought new fortunes abroad. Furthermore, although many people had died on the First Crusade and in the military operations since, according to the pope they would have all gone to Heaven. He was effectively giving potential recruits a personal guarantee. Unsurprisingly, many found the offer very attractive.
  Although Pope Eugenius's offer was brilliant, it was somewhat wasted on King Louis VII who had already decided on making a journey to Outremer several months earlier before the Pope had made his appeal. Louis agreed to go on Crusade, and he actively recruited others to the cause, incorporating his expedition with those planned by other people.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Delete the first sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Although it didn't impact too much on Outremer, the fall of the first Crusader state created a big splash in Europe, which had grown used to stories of Frankish success.
  In 1145 Bishop Hugh of Jebail led an embassy from Outremer to Pope Eugenius III in Rome. Hugh presented the fears of the people of Outremer and requested help. Pope Eugenius went straight to the heart of the matter and decided the quickest way to help was a new Crusade. He is unlikely to have viewed it as the 'Second Crusade', which is more a modern term. Contemporary people would have just regarded it as another Crusade.
  Eugenius III acted quickly and addressed a letter to the French king, Louis VII and the whole of the French nobility.
  In other words: crusade now – pay later! Eugenius was offering the deal of a lifetime. Not only were the nobility able to save their souls by going on Crusade, but they also had the personal guarantee of the pope to protect them and their property financially while they sought new fortunes abroad. Furthermore, although many people had died on the First Crusade and in the military operations since, according to the pope they would have all gone to Heaven. He was effectively giving potential recruits a personal guarantee. Unsurprisingly, many found the offer very attractive.
  Although Pope Eugenius's offer was brilliant, it was somewhat wasted on King Louis VII who had already decided on making a journey to Outremer several months earlier before the Pope had made his appeal. Louis agreed to go on Crusade, and he actively recruited others to the cause, incorporating his expedition with those planned by other people.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: the last three paragraphs
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Medieval people spent much time trying to kill animals (through hunting) or each other (through jousting and tournaments), but also had time to develop two of the most popular sports in the world today. The form of football that I mention in Chapter 26 was more of a violent, lawless mob scrap than a match for the World Cup, but was still the game on which modern football is based.
  A form of tennis – now known as real tennis – also came into being in the Middle Ages. You can still see a real tennis court in Henry VIII's palace at Hampton Court, but the game started much earlier, developing from a handball game that was played in France. The first English monarch that we know to have taken an interest was Henry V, and the game became massively popular across Europe in the two centuries that followed. Although a tough and energetic game, it was still considerably less dangerous than jousting!
  The Middle Ages introduced many small but important innovations to the world. I don't have enough space to describe them all, but here's a list of some of the most interesting medieval inventions:
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Delete the last sentence.
conversations.from: assistant
conversations.value: Medieval people spent much time trying to kill animals (through hunting) or each other (through jousting and tournaments), but also had time to develop two of the most popular sports in the world today. The form of football that I mention in Chapter 26 was more of a violent, lawless mob scrap than a match for the World Cup, but was still the game on which modern football is based.
  A form of tennis – now known as real tennis – also came into being in the Middle Ages. You can still see a real tennis court in Henry VIII's palace at Hampton Court, but the game started much earlier, developing from a handball game that was played in France. The first English monarch that we know to have taken an interest was Henry V, and the game became massively popular across Europe in the two centuries that followed. Although a tough and energetic game, it was still considerably less dangerous than jousting!
  The Middle Ages introduced many small but important innovations to the world.