The middle Ages is a period in European history from about the 400s to1400 A.D. During these years, also known as the medieval period, Europe evolved from ancient to modern times. This gradual change began when the Roman Empire collapsed in Western Europe during the 400s. Many people believe that after this collapse culture and society declined. The middle Ages is sometimes called the Dark Ages because of this belief. In fact, the Middle Ages was a time of great activity. The Roman Empire was divided into many smaller kingdoms. Most kings had little control over their kingdoms. As a result, hundreds of vassals2 with titles like prince, duke, and count became independent rulers of their own land. Their territories were known as fiefs. They ruled like kings through a form of government known as feudalism. Under feudalism, a king gave a fief in return for a vassal’s loyalty and service. The vassal promised to protect the king and fight in his army as a knight.
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Two factors lay at the origin of the conflict: first, the status of the duchy of Guyenne (or Aquitaine)-though it belonged to the kings of England, it remained a fief of the French crown, and the kings of England wanted independent possession; second, as the closest relatives of the last direct Capetian king (Charles IV, who had died in 1328), the kings of England from 1337 claimed the crown of
Two factors lay at the origin of the conflict: first, the status of the duchy of Guyenne (or Aquitaine)-though it belonged to the kings of England, it remained a fief of the French crown, and the kings of England wanted independent possession; second, as the closest relatives of the last direct Capetian king (Charles IV, who had died in 1328), the kings of England from 1337 claimed the crown of