Name ________________________________________

Fill in the Blanks

Use your reading information to help fill in the blanks.

Medieval Times

Medieval is a L______ term used to describe anything related to the M_______ A____. The term "middle age" was first used in the R_____________ era. Most historians agree that the Middle Ages began around _____ AD when G__________ *i____________ attacked the city of R_____ and ended the glory for the "R_______ E______." The ______ years --between ____ AD - _____ AD --were called the Middle Ages.

The Middle Ages are often called the "D____ A____". Life in E_______ during the Dark Ages was very hard. Most Europeans lived and worked in f__________ communities. Many people were *i_________, meaning they could not r____ or write. At the same time, rulers and n______ struggled for power. Out of this time came a new system of o__________ and g___________ society based on land and service. This new system was called f__________. The system of feudalism took the place of the strong, centralized R_______ government that had kept order in Europe for so many years. The most important feature of the f______ system was the granting of land known as a f_____.

Another characteristic of the Middle Ages was the importance of the C__________ C_______. During this age of faith, C____________ spread throughout Europe. Hope for most people came in their strong belief in Christianity, and the hope that life in h_________ would be better than life on earth.

The D_____ A_____ were anything but dark in other parts of the world. The *I_______ followers in the M______ East and North A_______ studied and improved on G_______ learning. Europe awoke from its long sleep about _____AD. Within one hundred years, C_________ sailed to America, l__________ spread around the world, and a_______ created works that still inspire today. Historians call the next period of European history the "R____________," or the "r______".

*1. The period of time in which we live is sometimes called the Modern Age. It is also referred to as the Nuclear Age after the weapons that were developed in the late 1900’s. Think of at least 6 other names for this era.

Answer the following in complete sentences.

*2. From your list above, choose the one that you feel is most appropriate and explain why.