I am starting to research the Middle Ages. Does anyone have any background information leading up to this age

Answer 1

The History Channel is doing a long series on the Dark Ages right now. It is pretty good and informative. Barbara Tuchman also has written some excellent books on the subject.

Answer 2

First of all, a note on terminology. I appreciate your NOT using "Dark Ages". Scholars of the period nowadays, fortunately, dislike this very misleading term, and recognize the substantial progress made in many areas during the "Middle Ages".

As far as 'how it began' --this is tied up with the complex story of the "Decline and Fall" of Rome and the (Western) Roman Empire over several centuries. . . though 476 is the traditional date generally used for the 'fall of Rome' and beginning of the "Middle Ages".

The following wikipedia articles discuss various facets of this change -- from the weakening of the Roman army and government, and of society (the fact that a large percentage of Romans were slaves didn't help!), great migrations of the Germanic peoples, etc.. The first may be the most useful:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Middle_Ages#Collapse_of_Rome_.28372-410.29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_of_the_Roman_Empire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire#Fall_of_the_Roman_Empire_.28395.E2.80.93476.29

Answer 3

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/history/middleages/

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/medieval/history/history.htm

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/medieval/

http://www.kyrene.k12.az.us/schools/brisas/sunda/ma/mahome.htm

http://www.mrdowling.com/703middleages.html

http://www.kidskonnect.com/MiddleAges/MiddleAgesHome.html