A comprehensive volume of reference with contributions from over 600 scholars, this book improves with each edition. It was published first in French, and with each new edition there have been additions to the contents. It addresses political and economic features as well as religion, the history of ideas and cultural developments, and progress in technology and the superb artistic achievements of the time. It justly claims to provide a magisterial sweep' with a fresh approach' ensuring its constant use as a modern work of reference.