The outstanding Austrian historian F. Heer, on the pages of his book, presents a fascinating panorama of the life of medieval Europe - a period that is mistakenly called the Dark Ages. The historian does not ignore the most important events of the era: fierce wars during which the borders of national states were formed, the Crusades, the confrontation between East and West, but his gaze, often provocative, is aimed at people, the everyday and intellectual life of medieval society. The author talks about the profound changes that took place in the XII-XIV centuries. in the field of science and fine arts, about the emergence of new universities, the rise of Gothic architecture, a new wave of interest in literature, as well as the status of women and relations between classes.