Keskaegne

Keskaegne is an Estonian adjective meaning medieval, used to describe things associated with the Middle Ages. In European history, the term points to roughly the period from the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the onset of the Early Modern Era, though exact dates vary by region. In Estonian, keskaegne can modify nouns to indicate a medieval character, for example keskaegne kunst (medieval art), keskaegne linn (medieval town), or keskaegne kirik (medieval church).

Linguistically, keskaegne is formed from kesk- meaning middle and aeg meaning age or era. It is standard in both academic and everyday language and appears in a wide range of contexts, from scholarly analysis to popular history.

Usage and scope often encompass material culture, social structures, and historical studies. Keskaegne kunst, arhitektuur, kirjanduse ja käsitöö esindab keskaja loomingu ja esteetikat; sama kehtib arutluste kohta feodalismini, gildide ja linnade arengute kohta. The exact dating can differ by region, but the term generally signals a medieval character rather than a later Renaissance or modern period.

Legacy of the keskaegne period includes architectural styles such as Romanesque and Gothic churches and castles, as well as urban networks, fortifications, and guild-driven economies. In contemporary usage, keskaegne helps distinguish artifacts, practices, and historical narratives from those of the Renaissance and later eras, while also evoking the cultural atmosphere associated with the Middle Ages.