what is Medieval?

Answer 1

It really depends what you're referring to, and who you ask. The "Medieval" times are also referred to as "The Middle Ages", and in most history books it'll cover the years from about 900 to about 1480. The era prior to 900 is considered "The Dark Ages" and the era afterward is the Renaissance. Some people though will consider the Dark Ages part of "Medieval" times. The "Dark Ages" were named so because of the lack of moral people had at the time, as well as lack of money and lack of intelligence, the many wars and plagues Europe went through, and the torment the infant Christian church suffered.

During the "Middle Ages", people were gaining more intelligence, making more money, and progressing forward. Simply put, the world was becoming a better place. This created the perfect setting for many romantic stories, of which now days we call fairy tales. Most popular fairy tales were originally thought up during Medieval times like Sleeping Beauty and Raphunzel. Some real people back then who are still famous now days were King Arthur, Queen Guenavier and Sir Lancelot, Robin Hood and King Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc, and William Wallice "Braveheart". Although what we hear of them now is often much different from who they really were.

When most of us think of "Medieval" we usually think of castles and knights and damsels and dragons. Another interesting tid bit is many people believe that dragons were real, and simply the last remaining dinosaurs. Anyway, real life in Medieval times was very primitive, and dirty and smelly (people at those times might bathe only once a year, eww!), and although they were better off then they were during the Dark Ages, most people were still very poor.

Medieval costume remains to be popular today, as they hold that "romantic" feel from the fairy tales. Of the more popular styles, it's the slim fitting dresses with draped flared out sleeves, that might be so long they almost drag on the ground. Also popular for little girls is the tall pointy "damsel" cap with a veil pinned to the tip. For men it's shining armor, and tunics and tights like Robin Hood is famous for. Most shoes were very pointy, now nicknamed "Elf Shoes". Even the "Gothic" look has it's roots in Medieval times. There are Faires world wide that specialize in costuming like Renaissance Faires, Scarborough Faires and Medieval Faires where you can see real "Medieval" and "Renaissance" life as it really was in those days.

At the end of the Medieval times came the Renaissance when even more money was available, people were learning even more, many things were invented and Europeans started stepping out of their circle of comfort to explore the rest of the world.

There's a lot more to cover concerning Medieval times, but this summarizes it in a nutshell. Hope it helps. =)

Answer 2

Medi = Middle Eval = Age

This is the period between ancient times, taken as the disintegration of the Roman administration in Western Europe (about A.D. 480) and the Renaissance of the 15th Century in Italy. Some people distinguish the Dark Ages as about A.D. 500-800 because of an alleged lack of learning and civilization in those times in Europe.

Answer 3

Also known as The Dark Ages, right before the Renaissance period. When there was the Plague and alot of battling and lack of knowledge.