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The Middle Ages are referred to by a variety of sundry terms, including; the Dark Ages, the Age of Feudalism, the Age of Faith, and the Golden Age of Europe. The fall

of the Roman Empire led to the rise of Feudalism, and the absence of strong leadership of Rome led to a time of war and barbarian invasions. The fall of the Roman

Empire also led to an increase in the power of the Roman Catholic Church. There was a dark aspect of Religious power, i.e. the holy wars (crusades) and the Church was

somewhat corrupt. Feudalism was also pretty dark.

The period from AD 500 to 1400 known as the middle ages can be referred to as the Age of Feudalism for many reasons! An upper class of nobles and a lower class of

peasants (or serfs) emerged. The lords would distribute their land among the lower lords called vassals who would give peasants protection in exchange for living and

working on his land. In return for land, the lords expected loyalty and military service from vassals and gave vassals protection from invaders. (Doc. 2 & 4) Vassals

needed serfs to work land and grow food. If a serf decided to work for a vassal, he would not be allowed to leave the manor. If he had offspring, they would not be

allowed to leave the manor too, so it was a bit like slavery.

The Middle Ages are also referred to as the Dark Ages because of the cultural and economic deterioration which occurred in western Europe following the decline of the

Roman Empire. The decline of the Roman Empire led to a time of chaos, civil wars, and barbarian invasions. Intellectual things stopped and records were not kept. This

period is “dark” because things are not known by historians. Some other reasons the Middle Ages are also referred to as the Dark Ages include the Crusades, which was a

series of holy wars to reclaim Jerusalem in which many people died. Also, it was a time of intellectual stagnation. Not much was known about this time because written

records were not kept. (Doc. 1, 3, & 9)

The church was very powerful during this period is why the Middle Ages is referred to as the Age of Faith. The church was more powerful than kings or nobles. The

church also officiated at coronations and the church had its own government, laws, courts and system of taxation. The church provided education through schools,

monastaries and convents (their language was Latin). Medieval villages wee organized around churches - churches offered protection around war, famine and plague. They

also had great catherdrals. (doc. 8 5 10 9)