Middle Ages: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Oct. 14, 2026

Facts

Also Known As	media tempora • medium aevium • medieval period • le moyen âge
Date	500 - 1500
Location	Europe
Context	Humanism

Photos and Videos

Illuminated manuscript page by the Limbourg brothers showing a procession of nobles on horseback in elaborate medieval dress, with a blue astrological calendar arch above.

Engraving of Petrarch wearing a laurel wreath and a robe, holding a closed book in his left hand.

Illustration for the month of September from Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, manuscript illuminated by the Limburg brothers, c. 1416; in the Musée Condé, Chantilly, France.

Chartres Cathedral with its two distinct spires and large rose window rises above nearby rooftops, illuminated by warm sunlight against a partly cloudy sky.

medieval sculpture

Historical map of Anglo-Saxon England in the 8th century, showing the extent of Anglo-Saxon-controlled territory, major kingdoms, and regions. The map marks important battle sites with crossed swords and monasteries with black squares, and labels key towns, rivers, and surrounding areas such as Wales, Scotland, and the English Channel.

Historical map of Europe showing the spread of the Black Death during the second pandemic from 1347 to 1351. The map uses color-coded regions to indicate the approximate year the plague first reached different areas, with arrows marking the spread along major marine and land routes, and major cities labeled. Areas relatively unaffected are shown in gray.

Historical map showing the Carolingian Empire at its height under Charlemagne, including the core Frankish Kingdom of 768, later acquisitions up to 814, and surrounding tributary peoples. An inset map depicts the territorial divisions of the empire after the Treaty of Verdun in 843, splitting it into three separate kingdoms. Major regions, cities, and neighboring peoples are labeled throughout western and central Europe.

Historical map showing the division of the Frankish kingdom among the sons of Clovis after his death in 511. The map uses different colors to indicate territories ruled by Theodoric I, Clodomir, Childebert I, and Chlotar I, as well as undetermined areas, within the broader outline of the Frankish kingdom at Clovis's accession. Major cities and neighboring kingdoms such as the Visigothic Kingdom and Ostrogothic Kingdom are also labeled.

The Origin of the Expression Walk to Canossa

Christianity and superstition in the Middle Ages

The mysterious and dangerous nature of moors

Notice the themes from the Middles Ages that have survived though the development of Western civilization

View a demonstration of early and medieval Irish foods possibly eaten by Saint Patrick and his contemporaries

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Key People

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Arthur M. Sackler

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Miniature of Pope Boniface VIII from f. 3v of Vaticinia de Pontificibus (index Prophecies of the Popes); attributed to Joachim of Fiore. (illumniated manuscripts)

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Temple ruins of columns and statures at Karnak, Egypt (Egyptian architecture; Egyptian archaelogy; Egyptian history)

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Three flint axes from the stone age. (prehistoric, tools, early humans, culture, archaeology, implements)

Ancient Civilizations