This publication was carried out with the participation of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Embassy in Moscow. The author of the book, one of the leading representatives of the Annales School, makes an attempt to concisely, but extremely clearly and convincingly characterize the main features of medieval civilization. The author focuses on Space and Time in the life and perception of the then population of Europe, their material life, characteristics of their social system and, most importantly, an analysis of their mentality, collective psychology, ways of feeling and thinking.