Alternative spellings

• mediaeval (UK), mediæval (non-contemporary)

Adjective

medieval (comparative more medieval, superlative most medieval)

Positive medieval

Comparative more medieval

Superlative most medieval

1. of or relating to the Middle Ages, perhaps AD 650 to 1550.
2. having characteristics associated with the Middle Ages.
3. archaic.
4. brutal.
   • 1969 Mar 24, New York Magazine, page 58:

     Brute force can get you into any apartment if you want to get medieval about it.

   • 2003 Robert Ludlum, The Janson Directive, page 579:

     "Oh, what a nifty idea," Collins said dryly. "Get a bunch of angry brothers with a blowtorch and some pliers and get medieval on his ass."

Derived terms

• medievaldom
• medievalism
• medievalist
• medievalize

The Middle Ages (adjectival form: medieval) is a period of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The period followed the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476, and preceded the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period in a three-period division of history: Classical, Medieval, and Modern. The term "Middle Ages" (medium aevum) was coined in the 15th century and reflects the view that this period was a deviation from the path of classical learning, a path supposedly reconnected by Renaissance scholarship.

The Early Middle Ages saw the continuation of trends set in Late Antiquity, depopulation, deurbanization, and increased barbarian invasion. North Africa and the Middle East, once part of the Eastern Roman Empire, were conquered by Islam. Later in the period, the establishment of the feudal system allowed a return to systemic agriculture. There was sustained urbanization in northern and western Europe. During the High Middle Ages (c. 1000 - 1300), Christian-oriented art and architecture flourished and Crusades were mounted to recapture the Holy Land. The influence of the emerging nation-state was tempered by the ideal of an international Christendom. The codes of chivalry and courtly love set rules for proper behavior, while the Scholastic philosophers attempted to reconcile faith and reason. Outstanding achievement in this period includes the Code of Justinian, the mathematics of Fibonacci and Oresme, the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas, the painting of Giotto, and the poetry of Dante and Chaucer.

• Combat (31)
• Costumes@ (41)
• Legends and Traditions (15)

• Society for Creative Anachronism@ (442)

• Burgundy and the Low Countries (5)
• Crusaders (0)
• Hundred Years War (4)
• Ireland and Scotland (7)

• Normans (2)
• Pre-Norman England (9)
• Wars of the Roses (11)

See also:

• Science: Social Sciences: Archaeology: Periods and Cultures: Medieval (33)
• Shopping: Recreation: Living History: Medieval and Renaissance (1)
• Society: History: By Time Period: Middle Ages (461)

• The Grey Company
  members.iinet.net.au
  Group portrays military life in the early Medieval period for reenactment events; membership and contact information, photo gallery.
• Knights of Longshank
  longshank.com
  A Northwest England-based group re-enacting military and civilian life in the reigns of English Kings Edward I and II (13th and 14th centuries). Contact information, schedule of events, historical background, photographs of re-enactments.
• The Knights Resources Ltd.
  knights-resources.co.uk
  An English group re-enacting-for-hire at medieval faires and schools, portraying the late 14th century. Contact information and description of services. They also repair Canon photocopiers.