Middle Ages: History of Europe

The Middle Ages is also known as the Dark Ages. It was a period in European history that lasted from around 500 AD to 1500. The term was coined by European writers and artists in the 14th century.

The period of European history extending from about 500 to 1400–1500 CE is traditionally known as the Middle Ages. The term was first used by 15th-century scholars to designate the period between their own time and the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Middle Ages in detail.

Timeline of Middle Ages

The Middle Ages, or Medieval Period, spanned roughly from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century to the beginning of the Renaissance in the late 15th century. Here’s a simplified timeline highlighting key periods and events:

Period	Years	Key Events
Early Middle Ages	c. 500–1000	– Fall of the Western Roman Empire (476) – Rise of the Frankish Empire under Charlemagne (800) – Viking raids and settlements
High Middle Ages	c. 1000–1300	– Christian Crusades to the Holy Land (1096–1291) – Establishment of the University system – Height of feudalism and chivalry
Late Middle Ages	c. 1300–1500	– The Black Death (1347–1351) – Hundred Years’ War between France and England (1337–1453) – Fall of Constantinople (1453) – Beginning of the Renaissance in Italy

This timeline encapsulates the broad strokes of the Medieval Period, highlighting the transition from the fragmentation and chaos of the Early Middle Ages, through the relative stability and growth of the High Middle Ages, to the significant challenges and changes of the Late Middle Ages that paved the way for the Renaissance.

What Happened in Middle Ages?

The Middle Ages, also known as the Medieval Period, spanned roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century, marking the era between the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. This period is characterized by significant social, cultural, and political changes in Europe. Here’s an overview of key events and developments during the Middle Ages:

Early Middle Ages (c. 500–1000)

• Fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 CE): Often considered the beginning of the Middle Ages. Europe entered a period of social and economic decline and fragmentation.
• Rise of the Byzantine Empire: Continued the legacy of the Eastern Roman Empire, preserving Roman and Greek knowledge and Christian culture.
• Spread of Christianity: The establishment of Christianity as the dominant religion in Europe, with the Pope becoming a powerful religious leader.
• Invasions by Barbarian tribes: Including the Vandals, Goths, Saxons, and Franks, leading to the formation of new kingdoms in the former Roman territories.
• Formation of the Islamic Caliphate (7th century): Rapid expansion of Islam into parts of Europe, including the Iberian Peninsula and Sicily.

High Middle Ages (c. 1000–1300)

• Feudalism: The establishment of the feudal system, where society was structured around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service and labor.
• The Crusades (1096–1291): A series of religious wars sanctioned by the Latin Church in an attempt to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule.
• Rise of Monarchies: Strengthening of central governments and the establishment of hereditary monarchies in France, England, Spain, and other regions.
• University System: The founding of the first universities in Bologna, Oxford, and Paris, marking a revival in learning and scholarship.
• Agricultural Innovations: Introduction of new farming techniques and tools, leading to increased agricultural productivity and population growth.

Late Middle Ages (c. 1300–1500)

• The Black Death (1347–1351): A devastating pandemic that killed an estimated one-third of Europe’s population, leading to significant economic and social changes.
• Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453): A series of conflicts between England and France, influencing the development of national identities and military techniques.
• The Great Schism (1378–1417): A division within the Catholic Church, with two, and later three, popes claiming legitimacy, leading to political and religious instability.
• Fall of Constantinople (1453): Marking the end of the Byzantine Empire and considered by some historians as the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance.

The Middle Ages were a period of significant transformation, setting the stage for the modern world with the development of European states, the establishment of the rule of law, and the resurgence of classical learning and culture that would flourish in the Renaissance.

The Middle Ages – Art and Architecture

Medieval art and architecture is art and architecture produced between the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D. and the early 14th century. It was prominent in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

• Building grand cathedrals and other religious structures showed devotion to the Church.
• Cathedrals were huge buildings in medieval Europe, often found at the center of towns and cities.
• Romanesque style dominated between the 10th and 13th centuries:
• Characteristics: thick walls, rounded arches, few windows, and solid construction.
• Examples: Porto Cathedral in Portugal, Speyer Cathedral in Germany.
• Around 1200, Gothic style emerged.
• Features: tall stained-glass windows, pointed arches, vaults, spires, and flying buttresses.
• Examples: Abbey Church of Saint-Denis in France, Canterbury Cathedral in England.
• Medieval religious art included frescoes, mosaics, and paintings of religious figures.
• Before the printing press, books were handmade works of art called illuminated manuscripts.
• Included colored illustrations, gold and silver lettering, made in monasteries and later universities.
• Convents provided education for women, who also wrote and illuminated manuscripts.
• Urban booksellers marketed smaller illuminated manuscripts to wealthy individuals.
• Chivalry and courtly love were popular themes in medieval literature, spread by troubadours.
• Famous stories include “The Song of Roland” and “The Song of Hildebrand.”

The Middle Ages and The Black Death

The Black Death was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and spread by fleas. It was highly contagious, and people who were healthy when they went to bed at night could be dead by morning. Symptoms included swellings on the groin or under the armpits that grew to the size of an apple or an egg.

• Between 1347 and 1350, the Black Death killed 20 million people in Europe.
• It started when ships from the Black Sea arrived in Sicily, carrying dead or infected sailors.
• Symptoms included fever, vomiting, and severe aches, often leading to sudden death.
• The plague also affected animals, causing a shortage of wool.
• Some believed it was a punishment from God, leading to extreme acts of penance.
• Others blamed and persecuted minority groups like Jews.
• Scientists now know it was caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis, transmitted by air or flea bites.
• The Black Death was a bubonic plague pandemic that occurred in Europe from 1346 to 1353.
• It was one of the most deadly pandemics in human history, killing up to 50 million people, or perhaps 50% of Europe’s 14th century population.

The Middle Ages – Economics and Society

The Middle Ages is a term used to describe the period after the fall of Rome. The economic system of the Middle Ages was decentralized and governed by feudalism. Feudalism was a system where powerful local lords divided their land among lesser lords. In exchange, the lesser lords pledged loyalty and service to the greater lord.

• Feudalism governed rural life in medieval Europe.
• King granted large pieces of land called fiefs to noblemen and bishops.
• Landless peasants, known as serfs, worked on the fiefs.
• Serfs did most of the farming and gave produce to the landowner.
• Serfs lived on the land and were promised protection.
• Agricultural innovations like heavy plows and crop rotation made farming more efficient.
• Population grew due to improved food supply.
• People moved to towns and cities.
• Crusades expanded trade routes and introduced Europeans to imported goods.
• Commercial economy developed, especially in port cities.
• By 1300, Europe had around 15 cities with over 50,000 people.
• Renaissance began in these cities, marked by intellectual and economic change.
• Renaissance had its roots in the Middle Ages.

End of Middle Ages

The end of the Middle Ages is generally marked by several key events in the late 15th and early 16th centuries that collectively ushered in the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. These events signify a transition from medieval to early modern Europe, characterized by significant changes in art, science, politics, and exploration. Here are some of the pivotal moments:

1. Fall of Constantinople (1453): The capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks ended the Byzantine Empire and is often cited as a key event marking the end of the Middle Ages. This event shifted trade routes and prompted Europeans to seek new paths to Asia, leading to the Age of Discovery.
2. Invention of the Printing Press (c. 1440): Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the movable-type printing press revolutionized the spread of knowledge, making books more accessible and fostering the spread of Renaissance ideas.
3. The Renaissance (14th–17th centuries): Beginning in Italy in the 14th century and spreading across Europe, the Renaissance marked a renewed interest in the art, science, and philosophy of ancient Greece and Rome. This cultural revival emphasized humanism, individualism, and secularism, contrasting with medieval religious focus.
4. The Discovery of the New World (1492): Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the Americas under the auspices of Spain opened up new territories for European exploration and colonization, dramatically expanding the world’s known boundaries and contributing to the rise of European global dominance.
5. The End of the Hundred Years’ War (1453): The conclusion of this prolonged conflict between England and France marked the end of medieval warfare and the beginning of new national identities and modern statehood concepts.
6. The Protestant Reformation (1517): Initiated by Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses, the Reformation led to a split in the Christian Church and diminished the Catholic Church’s authority over political and cultural life. This religious upheaval contributed to the individualism and questioning of authority that characterized the early modern period.

Conclusion – Middle Ages

In conclusion, the Middle Ages were far from being a period of darkness. Rather, it was a time of significant cultural, intellectual, and artistic development in Europe. Christianity flourished, leading to new perspectives on life and the world.

The era saw the establishment of European political boundaries, the rise of universities, the development of the rule of law, ecclesiastical reform, and the birth of tourism. Medieval literature and visual arts thrived, with works like the Canterbury Tales and cathedrals showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the period. Despite the challenges of historical documentation, medieval artists left behind a lasting legacy of creativity and cultural richness.

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FAQs – Middle Ages

What defines the Middle Ages?

Middle Ages, the period in European history from the collapse of Roman civilization in the 5th century ce to the period of the Renaissance (variously interpreted as beginning in the 13th, 14th, or 15th century, depending on the region of Europe and other factors).

What were the 3 periods of the Middle Ages?

The medieval period is itself subdivided into the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages, and the early medieval period is alternatively referred to as the Dark Ages.

What age was Middle Ages?

The medieval era, often called The Middle Ages or the Dark Ages, began around 476 A.D. following a great loss of power throughout Europe by the Roman Emperor. The Middle Ages span roughly 1,000 years, ending between 1400 and 1450.

Why is it called the Middle Ages?

The period of time is called the “Middle Ages” because it took place between the fall of Rome and early modern Europe, and it is often separated into the Early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages, and the Late Middle Ages. People also use other names like the “Medieval Age” to describe the Middle Ages.

Why did Middle Ages start?

Usually the consensus among a lot of historians typically label the date of 476 as the start of the middle ages. The so-called fall of the western roman empire. The deposition of the last western roman emperor Romulus Augustus was what many determined to be the decline of Europe.

What is another name for Middle Ages?

The Middle Ages, the medieval period of European history between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance, are sometimes referred to as the “Dark Ages.”