Just the Facts: The Middle Ages

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Castles, cathedrals, nobility, knights in shining armor, witches, dungeons, gothic splendor and almost constant war. The Middle Ages are all of that and more! This video tells the fascinating story of these thousand years of history, from around 500 A.D. to 1400 A.D. The Middle Ages are an incredibly dynamic period of history. So much of what we are familiar with today, from states to parliament to universities, came into being during this period.

Originally called the “Dark Ages” by the people of the Renaissance, we now realize The Middle Ages were not “dark” at all, but a time that is distinct in its civilization – filled with grand, as well as miserable episodes. Scholars form Yale University and UCLA share their insights into leaders like Charlemagne, the power of the Papacy, the Crusades, and the lifestyle of the people who lived during this very diverse and fascinating age. It was an age of mysteries, of supernatural beliefs, witchcraft and fortunetellers. The church also played a key role in the lives of most Europeans; people’s views of life and their place in it was much different than now. It was an age in which disease could — and did — wipe out a many as one third of the population! It was an age of religion, royal families, feudal lords and knights… serfs, peasants, misery, poverty and warfare.