Ruling family English King Dates

HOUSE OF NORMANDY William I 1066-1087

William II 1087-1100

Henry I 1100-1135

HOUSE OF BLOIS Stephen 1135-1154

HOUSE OF PLANTAGENET Henry II 1154-1189

Richard I 1189-1199

John 1199-1216

Henry III 1216-1272

Edward I 1272-1307

Edward II 1307-1327

Edward III 1327-1377

Richard II 1377-1399

HOUSE OF LANCASTER Henry IV 1399-1413

Henry V 1413-1422

Henry VI 1422-1461

HOUSE OF YORK Edward IV 1461-1483

Edward V 1483

Richard III 1483-1485

 The Middle Ages

The "Middle Ages" is a term used to describe the period between the end of the late
classical age and the time of the Renaissance. The most common starting point for the Middle
Ages begins around the year 476 CE(the fall of Rome), with the most common end point
being around 1500. Many scholars call the era the “medieval period” instead. Generally, the
medieval era is divided into three periods: the Early Middle Ages(500 to 1050), the High
Middle Ages(1050 to 1300), and the Late Middle Ages(and early Renaissance: 1300 to 1500).

Early Middle Ages

The Early Medieval Era is sometimes still called the Dark Ages. This epithet originated
with those who wanted to compare the earlier period with their own so-called "enlightened"
age. Modern scholars who have actually studied the time period would not so readily use the
label. Yet the term is still somewhat apt for the simple reason that we know relatively little
about events and material culture in those times.

This era is often considered, to begin with, the "fall of Rome" and end sometime in the
11th century. It covers the reigns of Charlemagne, Alfred the Great, and the Danish Kings of
England; it saw frequent Viking raids and the expansion of Islam in Northern Africa and
Spain. Over these centuries, Christianity spread throughout much of Europe, and the Papacy
grew into a powerful political body.

During that early post-Roman period (Early Middle Ages), life in Western Europe was
difficult and often violent. Eventually, the centralized power that had once held together the
provinces disappeared, and it was left to armed and aggressive mounted nobles, known as
knights. The absence of an effective centralized government was all the more apparent.

The Early Middle Ages are also sometimes referred to as Late Antiquity. This time period
is usually viewed as beginning in the third century and stretching to the seventh century, and
sometimes as late as the eighth. Some scholars see Late Antiquity as distinct and separate
from both the Ancient world and the Medieval one; others see it as a bridge between the two.
High Middle Ages

The High Medieval Era is the period of time that seems to portray the Middle Ages best.
Usually beginning with the 11th century, some scholars end it in 1300 and others extend it for
as much as another 150 years. Perhaps the most famous date in British history is 1066, when
William the First (William the Conqueror) invaded England with an army of soldiers from
Normandy (in north-west France). The Normans were originally Vikings, who had moved to
north France in about AD 900. William defeated the Saxon king (Harold) at the Battle of
Hastings: Hastings is a town on the south coast of England. This was the last time that
England was successfully invaded by a foreign.

The High Middle Ages saw other significant events such as the earlier Crusades and the
signing of the Magna Carta. By the end of the 11th century, nearly every corner of Europe had
become Christianized (with the notable exception of much of Spain), and the Papacy, long
established as a political force, was in constant struggle with some secular governments and
alliance with others.

The kings in the Middle Ages built many castles across England and Wales to make the
area secure. The Tower of London was built at this time to protect London from enemies
sailing up the river Thames, and the kings lived there during the Middle Ages. Edward the
First built many castles in Wales to control the country (for example: Caerphilly Castle,
Harlech Castle or Caernarfon Castle). Castles were also built in the north of England to
protect against attacks from the Scottish. Warwick Castle is another famous castle built in
this period. Fewer castles were built after this period because the invention of cannons made
them less useful.

This period is sometimes referred to as the "flowering" of medieval society, thanks to an

intellectual renaissance in the 12th century, such notable philosophers as Peter Abelard and
Thomas Aquinas, and the establishment of such Universities as those in Paris, Oxford, and
Bologna. There was an explosion of stone castle-building and the construction of some of the
most magnificent cathedrals in Europe.

The system of government at that time was known as the feudal system. The king owned
all the land, but divided this between barons and the Church. The barons had their own
private armies, and agreed to pay taxes and fight for the king. They lived in houses known as
manors. The private armies which they controlled were led by trained soldiers known as
knights, who would ride horses and wear metal suits of armour to protect themselves in
battle. Yeomen were farmers, who were free but had to do some work for the baron. Serfs
(peasants) were owned by the baron and had to provide food in exchange for their security -
they were not allowed to leave the manor without permission. This created a class system.

Late Middle Ages:

The end of the Middle Ages can be characterized as a transformation from the medieval
world to the early modern one. It is often considered to begin in 1300, and some scholars look
at the mid- to late-fifteenth century as the beginning of the end. That period witnessed tragic
and awesome events which include the Hundred Years War, the Black Death, the Avignon
Papacy and the Peasants' Revolt. The 15th century saw Joan of Arc burned at the stake, the
fall of Constantinople to the Turks, the Moors were driven from Spain and the Jews expelled
and the voyage of Columbus to the New World.

Famine, Disease, and Population Decline

Though famine and disease had always been a present, the Late Medieval era saw the horrific
results of both in abundance. The Black Death, preceded by famine and overpopulation, killed
at least a third of Europe and marked the end of the prosperity that had characterized the high
medieval era. The Church, once so highly respected by the general population, was criticised
when some of its priests refused to minister to the dying during the plague. More and more
towns and cities were wrestling control of their own governments from the hands of the clergy
or nobility that had previously ruled them. Still, the reduction in population engendered
economic and political changes that would never be reversed.