Were The Dark Ages Really Dark Why Or Why Not?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Many historians argued that

the Early Middle Ages were actually not much darker than any other time period

. Instead, this era evolved with its own political, social, economic and religious change. … As a result, the church had a strong influence over the Early Middle Ages.

Were was the Dark Ages?

Migration period, also called Dark Ages or Early Middle Ages, the

early medieval period of western European history

—specifically, the time (476–800 ce) when there was no Roman (or Holy Roman) emperor in the West or, more generally, the period between about 500 and 1000, which was marked by frequent warfare and a …

Why were the Dark Ages so bad?

Of course, the Dark Ages also refers to a less-than-heroic time in history supposedly marked by a dearth of culture and arts, a

bad economy

, worse living conditions and the relative absence of new technology and scientific advances.

Were Castles clean or dirty?


Castles were very difficult to keep clean

. There was no running water, so even simple washing tasks meant carrying a lot of bucketfuls of water from a well or stream. Few people had the luxury of being able to bathe regularly; the community was generally more tolerant of smells and dirt.

Why were the Dark Ages really dark?

The dominance of the Church during the Early Middle Ages was a major reason later scholars—specifically those of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century and the Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries—branded the period as “unenlightened” (otherwise known as dark),

believing the clergy repressed

What was life like in the Dark Ages?


Life was harsh

, with a limited diet and little comfort. Women were subordinate to men, in both the peasant and noble classes, and were expected to ensure the smooth running of the household. Children had a 50% survival rate beyond age one, and began to contribute to family life around age twelve.

How long did the Dark Ages last in years?

The ‘Dark Ages’ were between the 5th and 14th centuries, lasting

900 years

. The timeline falls between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. It has been called the ‘Dark Ages’ because many suggest that this period saw little scientific and cultural advancement.

Why did they call it the Dark Ages?

The phrase “Dark Age” itself derives from the Latin saeculum obscurum, originally applied by Caesar Baronius in 1602 when

he referred to a tumultuous period in the 10th and 11th centuries

.

What was the most feared disease of the Middle Ages?


The plague

was one of the biggest killers of the Middle Ages – it had a devastating effect on the population of Europe in the 14th and 15th centuries. Also known as the Black Death, the plague (caused by the bacterium called Yersinia pestis) was carried by fleas most often found on rats.

Why were medieval times so brutal?

Medieval violence was sparked by

everything from social unrest and military aggression to family feuds and rowdy students

What was the average life expectancy in 1300?

As the BBC reported, the life expectancy at birth for males born between 1276 and 1300 was just

over 31 years

. But for those who reached age 20, it jumped to 45 years. And if they reached 30, living into their fifties became likely.

How did they keep warm in castles?


Thick stone walls, tiny unglazed windows and inefficient open fires

made the classic castle something of a challenge to keep warm. … By heating the stones as well as the chamber, and directing the smoke away from the room, these fireplaces made life in a medieval castle a considerably more comfortable affair.

Do castles have toilets?


The toilets of a castle were usually built into the walls

so that they projected out on corbels and any waste fell below and into the castle moat. Even better, waste went directly into a river as is the case of the latrines of one of the large stone halls at Chepstow Castle in Wales, built from the 11th century CE.

Who cleaned castles?


A steward, also

referred to as a seneschal was much more likely. His job was to take care of the estate and supervise the staff, as well as take care of the events in the great hall. The housekeeper would be in charge of the kitchen staff, the chambermaids, and cleaning of the estate.

What was a typical manor like?

What was a typical manor like?

Large house/castle, pastures, fields and forest with peasants working on it

. … The serfs probably didn’t like the manor system because they were treated like slaves.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.