# Civilisation and culture of the Middle Ages The Middle Ages (the *medieval period*) ranged from roughly the 5th to late 15th centuries (in Europe).[^1] ## Early medieval period - Also known as the [[Dark Ages]]. - Late 5th century to the 10th century. - **Collapse of [[Civilisation and culture--Ancient--Roman|Rome]].** - ‘Barbarian invasions’. - [[Civilisation and culture--Medieval--Anglo-Saxon]] ## High medieval period > “The High Middle Ages was a period of tremendous population expansion. The estimated population of Europe grew from 35 to 80 million between 1000 and 1347, although the exact causes remain unclear: improved agricultural techniques, the decline of slaveholding, a more clement climate and the lack of invasion have all been suggested.”[^2] - Norman invasion. - [[Civilisation and culture--Medieval--Norman]] ## Late medieval period - War, famine, and plague. - [[Black Death]] --- ## ↬ External resources - [Medieval Family Life: The Paston, Cely, Plumpton, Stonor and Armburgh Papers](https://www.medievalfamilylife.amdigital.co.uk/) 🔒 [^1]: ‘Middle Ages’, *Wikipedia*, last modified 29 May 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages. [^2]: ‘Middle Ages’, *Wikipedia*, last modified 29 May 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages.