What was the Middle Ages and its significance to European society What was the Middle Ages and its significance to European society? Notes #28

The Middle Ages was a 1,000-year period in European history, beginning with the Roman Empire’s collapse (in 476) until the middle of the 1400s.

During the Middle Ages, a strong central government was absent in Europe, resulting in the growth of a system of living called feudalism.

This system involved the exchange of land for military service and obligations.

Feudalism depended on a rigid class structure, in which a king gave land to nobles, who gave land to knights, who protected the king and nobles.

Peasants worked on a noble’s manor (land) in exchange for protection, in an economic system called manorialism.

As a result of feudalism in Europe, political, economic, and social power was based on land ownership.