[vladimir998]

You wrote:

“You’re the guy who claims the Dark Ages didn’t start in 535AD and run for the next 8 to 9 centuries in NW Europe.”

Can you name a single modern reputable historian of the Middle Ages who believes the “Dark Ages” started in 535 and lasted almost a millenium? No reputable historian of the Middles Ages believes what you’re saying. NONE. NOT A SINGLE ONE.

Do the math. 535 plus 800 is what? 1335. 1335 is 200 years after the first Gothic Cathedral. It 50 years after Aquinas. It’s almost 250 years after the First Crusade. It’s AFTER Dante had written the Divine Comedy. What you’re saying is completely nonsensical.

“Folks who deny what is so obvious to see really can’t be included in any sort of rational discussion.”

No, people who claim the Vikings were around in the 1700s - as you did - should be included in your statement above. I, on the otherhand, am right. No reputable historian of the Middle Ages - in the entire world today - believes the Dark Ages were still going on in the 1300s.

[muawiyah]

The Dark Ages began with verifiable scientific facts. Tree rings have been examined and they show several years of no growth ~ meaning a very long Fimbul Winter. St. Gildas interviewed people first hand who'd experienced it ~ his companion, King Ad, attested to it elsewhere.

NW Europe DIED in a short time.