Inside the Middle Ages | Exploring Powers and Thrones with Historian Dan Jones
16:49
Grades: 9 - 12

Video Description: In this entertaining interview, historian and bestselling author Dan Jones shares insights from his book Powers and Thrones, a sweeping history that explores the evolution of power and its diverse forms throughout the medieval era. Jones unpacks how everything from climate shifts to pandemics triggered profound change in societies, leading to massive migrations and shifts in power dynamics. He dives into how the devastating plague pandemic laid the groundwork for a rebirth that would eventually reshape art, politics, and belief systems across Europe, sparking a remarkable period of renewal and innovation.

Jones also shares his personal passion for history, explaining what fuels his fascination with the people, places, and moments that shaped our world. With vivid storytelling, he helps us see how understanding history’s cycles of struggle and renewal can shed light on our own era. Join us as we journey through the past and reflect on how power—whether through empires, institutions, or movements—has left an indelible mark on the world.

Type of Video: Interview*
Unique Video ID: Literature-192**

Quick Ideas for Using the Video:

  • Discussion Question: Historians reinterpret the past quite often, as new evidence is found or perspectives change. During the interview, Mr. Jones describes why he thinks it’s important to continue to write new histories about the same event or time period. Have students think of times in United States history that have been reexamined and why. What do they feel was learned by taking a new look at this history?
  • Discussion Question: What is student reaction to Mr. Jones’ comparison between the Black Death and COVID pandemics? What do they agree or disagree with and why? What other comparisons do they see between Medieval history and current times?
  • Activity Idea: What do your students know about the Middle Ages? When it was, which kingdoms rose and failed, or diseases? Have students view this video, then do research on the Middle Ages and create a media project about what they learned.
  • Activity Idea: Use the video in a flipped learning activity and have students come to class prepared to share two insights gained by watching the video and two questions they’d like answered through their own or class research.

 

*Interviews feature extended conversation exploring fascinating topics with fascinating people in the area of study.

**The unique Video ID can be used to quickly locate a single video in the ET collection. This search function is designed to let teachers assign students to watch a specific video and have only that video appear as a search result. Just click on Search and choose “By Video ID.” Then type in the Video ID as it appears above. Be sure to include the dash.

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