AllMovie

Part one of this two-tape set concentrates on a time of duality for the church. On one hand, the church found its greatest architectural expression in the cathedrals that soon covered Europe; on the other, paranoia led to hysterical accusations of heresy that led to acts of genocide. Part two of the set continues on the same theme, including the Pope's denunciation of Jews as the cause of the Black Death. This pronouncement led to anti-Semitic massacre, and further fused the actions of church and state in medieval Europe. Also covered are the events of the Hundred Years' War. Serious in tone and well documented, this video is appropriate for use in the college classroom.