Mittelzeit

Mittelzeit is a German term often translated as "Middle Ages" or "medieval period." It refers to the historical period in Europe that began in the late 5th century with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and lasted until the 15th century. The exact end date is debated, with some scholars pointing to the fall of Constantinople in 1453, while others suggest the invention of the printing press or the beginning of the Renaissance.

This era is broadly divided into three sub-periods: Early Middle Ages (c. 500-1000), High Middle Ages (c. 1000-1300), and Late Middle Ages (c. 1300-1500). The Early Middle Ages were characterized by political fragmentation, the rise of Germanic kingdoms, and the spread of Christianity. The High Middle Ages witnessed the growth of feudalism, the establishment of powerful monarchies, the Crusades, and the flourishing of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The Late Middle Ages were marked by challenges such as the Black Death, the Hundred Years' War, and significant social and economic changes that paved the way for the Renaissance and the early modern period.

Key developments during the Mittelzeit include the consolidation of the Catholic Church's influence, the formation of universities, the Magna Carta in England, and the development of distinct European cultures and languages. It was a period of both immense change and enduring traditions that laid much of the groundwork for modern European society.