The Dark Ages : The Densest Of The Middle Ages

The term “dark ages” comes from Petrarch, who was an Italian scholar that lived after the dark ages, and compared it to the classical era. Medieval Europe happened from 500 AD to 1500 AD, also known as the medieval period in Europe. It is called “the dark age” because of the disease, famine, murder, chaos, and death that happened during that time.

During this age, everything going on was either bad or had a bad side to it. For instance, there was a plague called the Bubonic Plague. (Doc 6). This plague was extremely contagious and dangerous, consequently the doctors had to wear outfits made out of cloth or leather to protect themselves. (Doc 6). This disease killed 25 million Europeans. Moreover, there was also invasions going on during this time. These invasions had many negative effects on Europeans. For instance, the invasions caused trade to cease. (Doc 7). Also, the invasions caused lots of terror, and the terror led to Europeans moving to hard-to-reach areas. (Doc 7). The people who caused all of this; the invaders, were the Moors and Magyars. (Doc 7). Not to mention, there were more invasions during the Middle Ages. These invaders were the Northmen, they caused lots of damage. (Doc 8). They burned down the town of Dordrecht and took many goods back with them. (Doc 8). Similarly, there were slaughters in Rochester, Quentovic, and London. (Doc 8). The Dark Ages is a perfect label for the Middle Ages because many bad events were happening and death was the outcome. Furthermore, everything going on also had a dark side. For example, the religion; the churches had a dark side. Popular cities has large, tall churches; cathedrals. To be exact, these churches were called Gothic Cathedrals because of its architecture style. (Doc 9). These cathedrals

When people associate things with the word “dark” there mainly referring to things that are evil, bad or have an evil look. So when you put the label “Dark ages” on the Middle ages, you make the assumption that it was not a good time. But you’d be mistaken, it was completely the opposite. Though not much revolution took place in the early Middle Ages, the people were happy and content, and "the Dark Ages" just doesn’t fit with that, it’s not a accurate label to put on the Middle Ages.

When you think of something that is dark, you think of it as dreary, lifeless, or even evil. So when you think about the “Dark Ages” you may wonder, were times really like that? With a lot of research and patience we have come to find out that that time, may have been completely opposite. Not much came out of the Middle Ages but there sure was innovation. The people of this era were definitely not dreary or evil so no, ‘the Dark Ages’ is not an appropriate term to describe the Middle Ages.

In the 1300's, an Italian scholar named Petrarch used the term, "dark ages" to describe Europe in the middle ages.People think that Petrarch used this term to describe Europe in the middle ages, because it seemed as if everything was turning/going bad. Not everyone agrees with him, some people think that the middle ages in Europe was in a growth age instead of a dark age. There were good events, like economic growth and education got more significant. But, there were lot's of bad things like, government order and the Black Death, so it is a debatable topic.

Another title that the Middle Ages deserve is the label Dark Ages because during the Middle Ages, there was constant chaos and destruction that plagued Western Europe. After the collapse of Rome, the invasions did not end there. The invasions continued throughout the Middle Ages by different groups and tribes. For example, during the ninth and tenth century, the Moor invasions have taken over the South and the Hungarians invaded the Eastern provinces. Both invasion groups sacked villages, held captives, burned down religious buildings, and left a path of destruction while many citizens that escaped took refuge in the mountains or deep forests (doc 1). Also during the invasions of the Moor and Hungarians, the Northmen struck terror in England. The plundered, burned towns, and returned home with boats filled with gold, people, and resources (doc. 3). However, that was not the end of all the chaos during the Middle Ages. During the 14th century, the black death hit Western Europe, which ended up wiping out 1/3 of the population and a body count of over 25 million by the end of the sixteenth century (OI). Consequently, because of the constant chaos and destruction from invasions and plague, little to no development was possible. This slowed down Western Europe's advancements and growth. The

In the 1300s, Petrarch, an Italian Scholar used the term "dark ages" which applied "dark" and "light" to describe the period. Historians kept wondering " Was Europe really in a dark age from 500 to 1500"? The ongoing argument involves events such as the Crusades, The Black Death, the signing of the Magna Carta, and the building of universities and cathedrals. But although, there was destruction and prosper. While Europe had long lasting improvements, it was still a lot of destruction, during this period.

In the 1300's an Italian scholar named Petrarch came up with the name "Dark Age" to describe the time Europe was going through during the Middle Ages in 500AD-1500AD. Throughout the Middle Ages Europe was going through some rough times, but there were also moments of growth. For example the Black Death was a time of darkness but there were positive times like when universities were built. Although the dark ages were looked at as a negative occurrence, more events show a sign of growth.

There is many reasons why the middle ages should indeed be called an “Dark Age”. To begin with, the Middle Ages should be called “A dark Age” because of the destruction in everyday life during this time period. For example in document eleven it describes the black death, what it was, and how it affected everyday life, “The victims died almost immediately. They would swell beneath the armpits and in the groin,and fall over while talking. Father abandoned child, wife, husband, one brother another; for this illness seemed to strike through breath and sight.”

Many people cannot agree on whether the European Middle Ages were “Dark Ages” or an “Early Renaissance”. A Dark Age is a time during which a civilization undergoes a decline, while a Renaissance is a new period of growth or activity. Even though there is an equal amount of evidence for both the Dark Ages and the Early Renaissance, some pieces were more effective than others. The European Middle Ages were an Early Renaissance because citizens started to begin new lives as different roles, the feudal system was slowly being forgotten, and the Magna Carta was published.

The “Dark Ages” means a time of violence, no innovation, lack of educated people, small population and isolated communities, lots of disease, no new building projects, war, lack of trade, chaos and anarchy, famine, and political instability. The person who coined it was Petrarch, a french scholar who compared it to the classical period. The beginning of the dark ages was during 500 AD which lasted until 1500 AD. During this time period the most famous events was the “The Crusades” and “Black Death.” During this period Europe was clearly in a “Dark Age.”

The Middle Ages was a very important time in history. Some historians considered it The Dark Ages because they didn’t have the information they needed to provide for that era. I believe that The Dark Ages is not a correct term to describe the Middle Ages.

The Middle Ages were the roughly thousand year period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. The fall of the Roman Empire divided the great Roman Empire into several smaller “empires” ruled by their own king. It produced a cultural and religious divide within Europe. The Renaissance was an era known for its vast cultural influence. The artwork of the Renaissance has achieved worldwide acclaim. Historians typically refer to the Middle Ages as the Dark Ages and regard it as being a trivial era. Historians argue that compared to other eras, namely the Renaissance, there was little cultural development in the Middle Ages. Foreign attackers, a complicated feudal system, and lack of universal education further solidify the epoch as the Dark Ages.

Some refer to the Middle Ages as the “Dark Ages”. I could not find this more wrong. I think that even though documentation of this area is void, doesn’t automatically mean that it was void of advancements too. Today, I will use three documents: a picture of Joan of Arc, a map of the major trade routes of Afroeurasia, and an excerpt from the Magna Carta. With these I will prove that the Middle Ages were not just a Dark Age in history.

The term “dark ages” which is coined by the Italian Scholar Francesco Petrarch, applies to Medieval Europe during the times between 500 AD and 1500 AD. The term suggests a low-point in society with violence, disease, and war. Medieval Europe included many of these traits. Involving the Crusades, the Black Death, and violence involving religion. For these and the following reason, Medieval Europe was in a dark age.