From a prestigious figure in late antique and medieval studies, this collection of essays by leading scholars provides a thorough reassessment of the medieval era which questions how, when and why the Middle Ages began, and how abruptly the shift from Roman Empire to Barbarian Europe happened. Presenting the most current work including newly-available material such as translations of French and German essays, "From Roman Provinces to Medieval Kingdoms" gather the key thinkers in the field together in one easy-to-use volume. Examining a wealth of material on the origins of the Barbarian people and their tribes, Thomas F.X Noble studies the characteristics of the tribes and debates whether they were blood-tied clans or units bound by social, political and economic objectives. Highly readable and incredibly student friendly, "From Roman Provinces to Medieval Kingdoms" is an invaluable reference that includes a general introduction, clear introductions to each section and makes the key debates of the subject accessible to students.