During the Middle Ages, there were thousands of ethnic tribes across the world. A lot of these larger groups are well known to us, like the Vikings, the Franks, the Anglo-Saxons and the Mongols.

However, the skill of Anglo-Saxon art, metal-work and manuscripts does not suggest a ‘dark age’ at all. Archaeology is revealing new treasures, most famously with Sutton Hoo in 1939.

MORE than a thousand years ago, someone hastily buried sacks full of treasure. Now it’s revealing Dark Age secrets. Some 1300 years ago Europe was in turmoil. The remnants of the Roman Empire ...

But in Britain the phrase “dark age” seems entirely apt. That, I think, is part of this era’s appeal. ... So much even of what we think we know of these centuries may simply be wrong. I mentioned the ...