Overview of the Middle Ages
I. Basic Facts
A. Lasted from approximately 500 to 1500 C.E.
B. Following the breakup of Rome, Europeans were divided into many
smaller tribes
C. 3 Phases
1. Early Middle Ages – Dark Ages, little literacy and education
2. High Middle Ages - Development of modern states, prosperity
due to rapid population growth
3. Late Middle Ages – End of prosperity; end to population growth
due to war and disease
D. Medieval = “Middle Age”
E. Why was it called the Middle Ages?
Between classical and Modern periods of history. In between Rome and
the Renaissance.
II. Society
A. Learning, science, and logic were replaced by religious faith
B. People lived in a constant state of poverty, famine, and fear
III. Religion
A. Christian Church’s main function was to convert non-Christians
B. Certain sacred rites called sacraments were required to be performed
by priests in order to get into heaven
C. Church corruption and power
1. Priests violated vows of poverty and chastity
2. Simony – Buying of church positions
3. Crusades – Pope Urban II ordered Christians to participate in a
series of holy wars declared against Muslims
IV. Government
A. Feudalism – System in which people pledge loyalty to kings and
queens in exchange for land and protection
B. Democracies and republics were nonexistent
C. Magna Carta – “Great Charter”
1. Only significant democratic act during the Middle Ages
2. Signed by King John in England
3. Established 2 important principles
a. Monarch is limited by law
b. Monarch must obey the law
V. Evolution of Modern States
A. During the High Middle Ages powerful countries began to form under
one king
B. England = William the Conqueror
C. France = Hugh Capet
D. Spain
VI. Innovations in warfare – examples: knights and castles
VII. The Late Middle Ages
A. Hundred Years’ War – Devastating conflict between England and
France
B. Black Death
1. Spread by fleas on rats
2. Killed 1/3 of Europe’s population