CHAPTER CONTENTS A. How Do We Know about Medieval Europe? 81 B. Medieval Society C. The Medieval Castle D. Life in the Countryside E. Life in a Medieval Town F. Medieval Churches
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G. Ireland in the Middle Ages Apply Your Learning
A short history of Medieval Times In the fifth century the Roman Empire collapsed due to successful and violent invasions by tribes such as the Huns and the Goths. Without the central power of Rome, Europe slowly divided into many smaller kingdoms. There was no powerful leader to enforce law and order and Europe quickly became a more dangerous place. Many of the advances in art and engineering made by the Romans were forgotten. This is why the period from about AD 500 up to the Renaissance in the 1400s was known as the Dark Ages. People called it that because they believed nothing good happened during this time. However, historians now recognise that many important changes did actually occur during this period. So it is now correctly called the Middle Ages or the Medieval Period.