Middle Ages: Time of Feudalism, Kings, and Chivalry

The Middle Ages is a historical period that lasted from the 5th century to the 15th century in Europe. It is also known as the medieval period, and it was a time of significant changes in politics, society, and culture. In this article, we will explore the known facts about the Middle Ages, including the rise of feudalism, the crusades, and the impact of the plague.

Interesting fact about the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, some monks used to write ancient texts by scraping off the original ink from parchment and replacing it with new text. This process is called palimpsest, and it was done because parchment was expensive and rare, and the monks needed to reuse it. Today, with modern technology, we can read the original text by analyzing the residual traces of the first ink.

The Rise of Feudalism

During the early Middle Ages, Europe was divided into many small kingdoms ruled by kings and nobles. The fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century led to a power vacuum, and the nobles took advantage of this situation to establish their own rule. This led to the rise of feudalism, a system of government where the nobles held power over the peasants who worked their land.

Feudalism was based on the exchange of land for loyalty and military service. The king would grant land to a noble in exchange for their loyalty and military support. The noble would then divide the land into smaller portions and give it to their vassals, who would be required to provide military support when needed. In return, the vassals received protection and a share of the land’s produce.

The Crusades

Middle Ages saw the rise of the Crusades, a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims. The Crusades were a response to the expansion of the Islamic empire into Christian territories, including Jerusalem. The Pope called for a holy war to retake these territories and protect the Christian faith.

The Crusades lasted for several centuries and had a significant impact on European society. They helped to unify Europe and encouraged trade and cultural exchange between the East and West. However, the Crusades also led to violence and persecution against Jews and Muslims, and they ultimately failed in their mission to retake Jerusalem.

Impact of the Plague

Middle Ages were also marked by the impact of the Black Death, a pandemic that swept across Europe in the 14th century. The Black Death was caused by the bubonic plague, which was spread by fleas on rats.

Black Death had a devastating impact on European society, killing an estimated 25 million people, or one-third of the population. It had a profound effect on the economy, politics, and culture of the time, leading to a shortage of labor, social upheaval, and a decline in the power of the Church.

Middle Ages were a time of significant change and upheaval in European history.

Feudalism, the Crusades, and the Black Death were all important events that shaped the political, social, and cultural landscape of the time. While the Middle Ages are often characterized as a time of darkness and ignorance, they also saw significant advances in art, literature, and technology, and they laid the foundation for the Renaissance and the modern era.