Collingwood

The method of medieval historians had a defective method. They relied on the facts of tradition and they did not have analyzing power. They conceived historical ages initiated by an historical event. They speculated about future depending on the past events. The historians of this period blindly believed that all activities of man were under the control of God. The history neglected the primary duty of a man. They exaggerated the work of providence in history to a point which left nothing for man to do. So, medieval historiography was so weak in critical method as Collingwood points.

 The Medieval historiography had left the tremendous effect on European Historical Thought. The history of the world became a common place. A single chronological framework became all historical events. The providential idea became so dominant during this age. The forward and backward looking notion helped the Renaissance, the French Revolution and so on. Finally, the division of history into periods with its strange features had become a common practice.