Jany Vernis
asked
C.J. Adrien:
Is the 10th century considered Early Medieval or end of Dark Ages? I have read conflicted opinions on the subject, and as you seem to have studied it extensively...
C.J. Adrien
Great question! There are two distinct traditions in academia governing the delineation of the historical timeline.
The first tradition is the Continental European tradition (France, Germany, Italy) in which the period known as the Middle Ages (Moyen Age in French) designates the period between antiquity (fall of Rome, 5th Century) and the Renaissance (A French word for a movement which began in...Italy). In this tradition, the Middle Ages are over 1,200 years long.
The second tradition is the more Anglo tradition which splits the Middle Ages into three parts: the Dark Ages (5th-11th centuries), Early Middle Ages (11th-14th Centuries), and the High Middle Ages (14th-15th Centuries). The accepted dates for the split of each time period are as follows:
Dark Ages: from the destruction of the Roman Empure in 476 A.D. to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 A.D.
Early Middle Ages: From 1066 A.D. to the battle of Agincourt in 1415 A.D. (i.e. the end of Chivalry).
High Middle Ages: 1415 A.D. to Columbus' "discovery" of America in 1492.
Of course, depending on who you ask, the second tradition will vary. For example, many feel the High Middle Ages end with Amerigo Vespucci's discovery of the mainland continent of America in 1500 A.D.
As per your question:
In the first tradition, the 10th Century would be considered to be the Early Middle Ages. In the second tradition, it would be considered as the Dark Ages (and yes, more towards the end).
Thanks for asking, and I hope you find the answer satisfactory.
The first tradition is the Continental European tradition (France, Germany, Italy) in which the period known as the Middle Ages (Moyen Age in French) designates the period between antiquity (fall of Rome, 5th Century) and the Renaissance (A French word for a movement which began in...Italy). In this tradition, the Middle Ages are over 1,200 years long.
The second tradition is the more Anglo tradition which splits the Middle Ages into three parts: the Dark Ages (5th-11th centuries), Early Middle Ages (11th-14th Centuries), and the High Middle Ages (14th-15th Centuries). The accepted dates for the split of each time period are as follows:
Dark Ages: from the destruction of the Roman Empure in 476 A.D. to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 A.D.
Early Middle Ages: From 1066 A.D. to the battle of Agincourt in 1415 A.D. (i.e. the end of Chivalry).
High Middle Ages: 1415 A.D. to Columbus' "discovery" of America in 1492.
Of course, depending on who you ask, the second tradition will vary. For example, many feel the High Middle Ages end with Amerigo Vespucci's discovery of the mainland continent of America in 1500 A.D.
As per your question:
In the first tradition, the 10th Century would be considered to be the Early Middle Ages. In the second tradition, it would be considered as the Dark Ages (and yes, more towards the end).
Thanks for asking, and I hope you find the answer satisfactory.
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