Best known for his thesis that it was not the invasion of Germanic tribes that brought about the so-called Dark Ages, but the Muslim invasions of the 7
th
century and the closing off of Mediterranean trade, Henri Pirenne extends his examination of the decline and revival of Europe in
Medieval Cities
. He first examines the many interruptions of long-distance commerce and trade, showing how they greatly accelerated the decline of ancient European cities. He then proceeds to illustrate how the rejuvenation of trade in the 10
and 12
centuries led to the birth of new cities and centers of trade, and how the increasingly key role of the middle class led in due course to the development of modern economic systems and culture. Long appreciated as a vital resource for students of medieval history since its publication in 1925,
remains a classic in its field and essential reading for anyone with an interest in the history of Medieval Europe.