Midfifteenth

Midfifteenth is a term used to denote the approximate middle period of the 15th century. This encompasses the years from roughly 1440 to 1460. This era falls within the broader historical period known as the Late Middle Ages.

The mid-fifteenth century was a time of significant change and transition across Europe and beyond. In Europe, the Hundred Years' War was drawing to a close, leading to shifts in political power and national identities. The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440, though its widespread impact would take time, marked a revolutionary development in the dissemination of knowledge. The Renaissance was gaining momentum in Italy, influencing art, philosophy, and science.

Economically, trade routes were expanding, and urban centers continued to grow. However, the aftermath of the Black Death still affected demographics and labor markets in many regions. Culturally, manuscript illumination remained important, but the nascent stages of print culture were beginning to emerge.

Globally, the Ottoman Empire was consolidating its power, posing a growing influence in the Eastern Mediterranean and Balkans. In China, the Ming Dynasty continued its rule, characterized by significant architectural projects and maritime expeditions earlier in the century, though their influence was beginning to wane. The mid-fifteenth century was a period of both established traditions and emerging innovations that would shape the centuries to follow.