Dark Ages Research Paper

Were the Dark Ages really that dark? The 13th century is firmly in the category of centuries considered to be in the Dark Ages during the time period of 500-1500 AD. There are many events, discoveries and developments during this time period that would dispute the term “Dark Ages”. One of the most lasting documents that still impacts certain societies today was written in the year 1215. This document is known as the Magna Carta. The term Magna Carta is Latin for the “Great Charter”. Signed by King John on an open field in Runnymeade, under the pressure of the barons of Medieval England, the Magna Carta was the first document to list the rights of citizens. This document, although not successful at first, became the basis for England’s common law system and later was a template that America’s Founding Fathers referenced when creating our system of government. (History.com) This historical document still exists and is housed in Canterbury Cathedral, England. The Magna Carta, even though written in the “Dark Ages” is a document that continues to be relevant to this day. (CanterburyCathedral.org)
Also still existing today is an
This caused people to live a more subsistence life than worrying about poetry, music, inventing, and advancing society. This leaves the impression that people were suddenly barbaric, unintelligent and uncivilized. Even though many people in the 13th century were only concerned with finding shelter, food and water on a day to day basis, this does not mean they were unthinking, lawless barbarians. They still formed families, went to church, had systems of a ruling government and did what they could to help one another. As dark as it was, there were glimmers of light during this trying time. Although progress was slower than in centuries past, progress was still