Conclusion (Written by Abby. H with assistance from Sarah. E)
The dark ages weren't necessarily all that dark. In fact, at many points in history they were filled with light. Many forget the victories, but remember the tragedies. For there were many tragedies. Deaths, illnesses, wars, and punishment occurred, more horrible then most have seen. But out of those horrors came a new beginning, which proved that the horrible happenings were essential to the rebirth of Europe. The people had to rely on the church an the feudal system. For if they hadn't a lot of modern day culture may have changed. As the people relied on the church, they began to form ranks and social statuses. These statuses became as important as money and land, knights, lords, and monarchs ruling over the peasants and serfs. No damsels in distress, fairies, dragons, knights in shining armor, or glorious palaces existed. The Medieval Times was truly fascinating, but wasn't just dark. It was also quite light, and deserves to have its victories remembered as a reality, not just as a far away fairytale that it is now known as. Some of the tales told today were a reality, some were mere legends, and a lot are yet to be confirmed.
The dark ages weren't necessarily all that dark. In fact, at many points in history they were filled with light. Many forget the victories, but remember the tragedies. For there were many tragedies. Deaths, illnesses, wars, and punishment occurred, more horrible then most have seen. But out of those horrors came a new beginning, which proved that the horrible happenings were essential to the rebirth of Europe. The people had to rely on the church an the feudal system. For if they hadn't a lot of modern day culture may have changed. As the people relied on the church, they began to form ranks and social statuses. These statuses became as important as money and land, knights, lords, and monarchs ruling over the peasants and serfs. No damsels in distress, fairies, dragons, knights in shining armor, or glorious palaces existed. The Medieval Times was truly fascinating, but wasn't just dark. It was also quite light, and deserves to have its victories remembered as a reality, not just as a far away fairytale that it is now known as. Some of the tales told today were a reality, some were mere legends, and a lot are yet to be confirmed.
Overview(Written by Abby. H)
All of the Middle Ages was a struggle for many. After the fall of the Roman Empire, a new system called feudalism was made to support Europe. It created society, which then made a nation. This made various social classes, the serfs, the monarchs, the knights, and the lords and ladies. The serfs as the lowest social class were the farmers that produced crops to feed those in a higher position. Above them, the knights protected everyone, serving their kingdom as a whole. Next, was the lords and ladies, who ruled over their estates, but always stayed under the monarch's control. The monarch was the true leader in the feudal system, and always had divine right. Besides the people of Europe, the various traditions, laws, and buildings also contributed to the new form of society. The celebrations and ceremonies were always important in the medieval times, centered around marriage, death, and birth. Although, the death of a villain was not mourned by most, the death was usually a horrific one, deserving several tears. For in the middle ages, the punishments for breaking laws was extreme. These deaths also were never private, and happened in the middle of the towns. the towns didn't just have death, but were filled with dirt and chaos. Only the more secluded castles had less chaos, but the castles were stuffy and had a stench of smoke. Through the struggle, society had become something new, that would begin the reign of Europe.
Outside of society, the main element of the middle ages was the church. The spread of Christianity, the role of the church in the lives of the people, the pope, politics, power, monks, and monasteries all had roles to play inside of the church. As soon as the religion began, it became popular, but spread to other places quickly by missionaries, and became one of the most famed religions. As the word of Christianity spread and more citizens converted, more churches were built, and more people were expected to attend the services. Ruling over the people was the pope, who grew in power, becoming more powerful then the king himself. For he could threaten the people with punishments that could last a eternity, while the king could only promise torture and a death. The church had complete power over the people, and that power wouldn't be relinquished.
Many of the main events in the middle ages determined the fate of Europe. The Crusades, the Magna Carta, the Black Death, and the Hundred Years' War all brought about change for Europe and its citizens. Although the Crusades wasn't a war that lasted for a block of time, it did last for a long period as little fights in the name of God. Besides the Crusades, the Magna Carta was revolutionary, for it provided a step to freedom and rights for Western Europe's people. In a lesser period of time, the Black Death was horrible when compared to any of Europe's victories. It killed off more then 2.5 million people, making it a dark time for the middle ages. But although some struggles end with no rewards, the Hundred Years' War was successful, and France became united, even with England standing in its way. All of these events changed Western Europe dramatically, altering the future.
All of the Middle Ages was a struggle for many. After the fall of the Roman Empire, a new system called feudalism was made to support Europe. It created society, which then made a nation. This made various social classes, the serfs, the monarchs, the knights, and the lords and ladies. The serfs as the lowest social class were the farmers that produced crops to feed those in a higher position. Above them, the knights protected everyone, serving their kingdom as a whole. Next, was the lords and ladies, who ruled over their estates, but always stayed under the monarch's control. The monarch was the true leader in the feudal system, and always had divine right. Besides the people of Europe, the various traditions, laws, and buildings also contributed to the new form of society. The celebrations and ceremonies were always important in the medieval times, centered around marriage, death, and birth. Although, the death of a villain was not mourned by most, the death was usually a horrific one, deserving several tears. For in the middle ages, the punishments for breaking laws was extreme. These deaths also were never private, and happened in the middle of the towns. the towns didn't just have death, but were filled with dirt and chaos. Only the more secluded castles had less chaos, but the castles were stuffy and had a stench of smoke. Through the struggle, society had become something new, that would begin the reign of Europe.
Outside of society, the main element of the middle ages was the church. The spread of Christianity, the role of the church in the lives of the people, the pope, politics, power, monks, and monasteries all had roles to play inside of the church. As soon as the religion began, it became popular, but spread to other places quickly by missionaries, and became one of the most famed religions. As the word of Christianity spread and more citizens converted, more churches were built, and more people were expected to attend the services. Ruling over the people was the pope, who grew in power, becoming more powerful then the king himself. For he could threaten the people with punishments that could last a eternity, while the king could only promise torture and a death. The church had complete power over the people, and that power wouldn't be relinquished.
Many of the main events in the middle ages determined the fate of Europe. The Crusades, the Magna Carta, the Black Death, and the Hundred Years' War all brought about change for Europe and its citizens. Although the Crusades wasn't a war that lasted for a block of time, it did last for a long period as little fights in the name of God. Besides the Crusades, the Magna Carta was revolutionary, for it provided a step to freedom and rights for Western Europe's people. In a lesser period of time, the Black Death was horrible when compared to any of Europe's victories. It killed off more then 2.5 million people, making it a dark time for the middle ages. But although some struggles end with no rewards, the Hundred Years' War was successful, and France became united, even with England standing in its way. All of these events changed Western Europe dramatically, altering the future.