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The Middle Ages are often divided into three main periods:

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The Middle Ages are often divided into three main periods:

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Early Middle Ages (circa 500–1000)

High Middle Ages (circa 1000–1300)

Late Middle Ages (circa 1300–1500)

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The black death, or the bubonic plague, was a deadly disease that wiped out a third of Europe. People who were desperate to be cured often tried ridiculous methods to rid themselves of the plague.

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The Catholic church was incredibly powerful, and the Pope was very well respected.

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The Magna Carta was a product of the conflict between King John of England and a group of rebellious barons. The Magna Carta was sealed by King John., brother of Richard the Lionheart. The document was a peace agreement between the king and the rebellious barons, outlining a set of principles and restrictions on his royal power.

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Were all vikings as evil as described in literature?

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Were all vikings as evil as described in literature?

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The Crusades were a series of religious wars fought between the 11th and 15th centuries, sanctioned by the Church to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslims who lived there. Some crusade orders include the Knights Templar, known for their financial power, and the Teutonic Order, a germanic military order. Many European monarchs, such as Richard the Lionheart, also participated in the crusades.

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What caused the church to lose power after the middle ages?

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What caused the church to lose power after the middle ages?

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What were the negative and positive impacts of the Crusades?

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What were the negative and positive impacts of the Crusades?

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The Vikings were seafaring people from the late eighth to early 11th century originating from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. They were known for their exploration and raids on coastal communities. They practiced Old Norse religion, which was polytheistic, and targeted monasteries, trading centers, and other vulnerable locations when raiding.

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In the Middle Ages, knights were elite warriors who played a central role in medieval European society. They were said to be bound by a code of chivalry that emphasized honor, loyalty, and bravery. Knights served their lords in a feudal system, swearing oaths of allegiance in exchange for land and protection. Knights were not only military figures but also social elites, but are often overly romanticized in literature and history.

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At the top of the social hierarchy were monarchs, kings, and queens, who ruled over vast territories. Below them were the nobility, including lords, barons, and dukes, who held land granted by the monarch in exchange for loyalty and military service. Knights, skilled warriors often bound by a code of chivalry, served the nobility. The majority of the population consisted of serfs, who worked the land and provided agriculture in exchange for protection from the local lord. The Catholic Church was very influential, with clergy members being considerably wealthy.

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The Mongols, under the leadership of Genghis Khan and his successors, created one of the largest and most powerful empires in history during the 13th and 14th centuries. Mongols were exceptional horsemen and skilled archers. Genghis Khan, born as Temüjin, united Mongol tribes and established an empire going from Eastern Europe to Asia. The empire eventually split.

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When an English king tried to declare himself king of France as well, it sparked an armed conflict lasting for 100 years, and resulted in a French victory.

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Castles were large buildings fortified against attack with thick walls, battlements, towers, and in many cases a moat.

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Most peasants lived in tiny one- or two-room thatched cottages made from low quality materials. They owned nothing themselves, as everything, including their homes, belonged to their lord.