Medieval Barbarism?
Did medieval Europe know inter-ethnic warfare, persecution and expulsions on the 20th-century model?
Among the unremarked minor casualties of the Kosovo war must be numbered the adjective ‘medieval’. Too often recently, we have been invited by reporters and pundits to consider the ‘truly medieval’ (or, more cautiously, ‘almost medieval’) levels of brutality, sadism and bigotry on display in the Balkans. Yet such language, hackneyed though it may be, does point us towards a legitimate and overlooked question: did medieval Europe in fact know inter-ethnic warfare, persecution and expulsions on the 20th-century model?
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
