The Middle Ages are traditionally divided into two main phases: High and Low Medieval Age.

• High Middle Ages (476-1000 AD): The Middle Ages began with the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of barbarian kingdoms, leading to a decline in political centralization. During this period, new kingdoms emerge and Christianity spreads, while the feudal system begins to give rise to a new social organization.

  
  

• Late Middle Ages (1000-1492 AD): During this phase, Europe experienced a period of relative stability, with population expansion, increased commercial activity and the development of cities. During this phase, there was a strengthening of the power of monarchs and the Church, along with conflicts such as the Crusades. The end of the Middle Ages coincided with the discovery of America, which paved the way for modernity.

The medieval social structure was divided into different classes:

• The nobility, which included kings, lords, and knights, occupied the highest position. Kings ruled kingdoms, but power was often exercised by lords who administered the lands and held much of the wealth and authority. Knights, who were part of the nobility, were responsible for defending territories and serving their lords in battle.

  
  

• The clergy, composed of clerics, monks, and bishops, had great religious and political influence. The Church not only guided spiritual life but also had considerable economic and social powers. Monks and clerics, in addition to performing religious functions, were also responsible for preserving culture and knowledge.

• Peasants, who made up the majority of the population, were the workers of the land. Their lives were closely tied to the land they cultivated, but they lived under the control of the lords and had to pay taxes or work for them for free. They were considered the lowest class, but their agricultural activity was fundamental to the sustenance of the entire society.

The Middle Ages is a historical period that spans from 476 AD, the year of the fall of the Western Roman Empire, to 1492 AD, with the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.

This long era, lasting about a thousand years, was a time of profound change for Europe.

During the Middle Ages, Europe underwent numerous transformations, characterized by war, great religious upheaval, and a reorganization of society. The feudal system, which divided the population into different social classes, and the growing influence of the Catholic Church were two of the main factors that shaped this period. Daily life was strongly influenced by these elements, and the conflict between temporal and religious power marked many of the political and social dynamics.

The Middle Ages was a period that, although often seen as “dark” and marked by difficulties, also laid the foundations for many cultural, political, and scientific developments that would give rise to modern Europe.

The Crusades were a series of religious wars called by the Church, with the aim of reconquering the Holy Land, that is, the places considered sacred by Christians, especially Jerusalem, which were under Muslim control. These wars not only had a strong religious value, but were also intertwined with political and economic motivations, involving numerous Christian states and giving life to a period of conflict, sacrifice and geopolitical changes.

Monastism represented another fundamental aspect of medieval religious life. The monks, who lived in monasteries, followed strict rules of consecrated life, dedicated to prayer, work and meditation. The monasteries became centers of culture and preservation of knowledge, especially during the darkest centuries of the Middle Ages. Many monasteries had vast scriptoria where monks copied classical and Christian texts by hand, thus preserving knowledge for future generations. In addition to spirituality, monks played a fundamental role in agriculture, education and the care of the sick, becoming essential for the development and stability of medieval communities.

Children's daily life in the Middle Ages

• Upper class: Children belonging to the nobility or rich families had a less hard childhood than children from the working classes. The males were educated to become knights, learning the art of war and weapons, as well as receiving an education based on reading, writing and, sometimes, music. The girls, on the other hand, were educated to prepare for marriage and housework, learning jobs such as sewing and house management, although, sometimes, they had access to religious training.

• Middle and popular class: Children from the lower classes, who lived mainly in rural areas, spent most of their time working, helping families in the fields, with cattle or with crafts. They didn't have many opportunities to study or play and, in many cases, they started working from a very young age. Girls helped their mothers with household chores, while boys were often involved in agricultural activities or apprenticeships to become craftsmen.

Medieval children's games

Medieval children, especially those from the nobility, had handcrafted toys such as wooden dolls and small floats, while those in the working classes used natural materials to create improvised games.

Outdoors, children loved to run, jump and play with objects like cloth balls. Starting in the late Middle Ages, card games became popular, especially in wealthy families. Many toys also had an educational function, simulating adult work.