---
id: kb-2026-00353
title: Middle Ages
schema_type: TechArticle
category: history
language: en
confidence: medium
last_verified: "2026-05-28"
created_date: "2026-05-22"
generation_method: ai_structured
ai_models:
  - claude-opus
derived_from_human_seed: true
conflict_of_interest: none_declared
is_live_document: false
data_period: static
atomic_facts:
  - id: fact-history-01
    statement: >-
      Britannica describes the early Middle Ages as extending from the fall of Rome to about the year 1000, followed by
      later medieval developments before the Renaissance.
    source_title: Middle Ages | Britannica
    source_url: https://www.britannica.com/event/Middle-Ages
    confidence: medium
  - id: fact-history-02
    statement: >-
      Britannica identifies feudalism as a medieval social system associated with relationships between lords and
      vassals.
    source_title: Feudalism | Britannica
    source_url: https://www.britannica.com/topic/feudalism
    confidence: medium
  - id: fact-history-03
    statement: Britannica dates the Black Death in medieval Europe to 1347 through 1351 and identifies it as a plague pandemic.
    source_title: Black Death | Britannica
    source_url: https://www.britannica.com/event/Black-Death
    confidence: medium
completeness: 0.88
known_gaps:
  - This public article was narrowed to source-mapped claims during a targeted evidence repair pass.
disputed_statements: []
primary_sources:
  - title: Middle Ages | Britannica
    type: encyclopedia
    year: 2026
    url: https://www.britannica.com/event/Middle-Ages
    institution: Encyclopaedia Britannica
  - title: Feudalism | Britannica
    type: encyclopedia
    year: 2026
    url: https://www.britannica.com/topic/feudalism
    institution: Encyclopaedia Britannica
  - title: Black Death | Britannica
    type: encyclopedia
    year: 2026
    url: https://www.britannica.com/event/Black-Death
    institution: Encyclopaedia Britannica
secondary_sources: []
updated: "2026-05-28"
---

## TL;DR

This Middle Ages entry is narrowed to three Britannica-backed anchors: the broad period framing, feudalism as a medieval social system, and the Black Death as a 1347-1351 plague pandemic in Europe.

## Evidence Notes

- Britannica anchors the period framing.
- Britannica's feudalism entry anchors the social-system claim.
- Britannica's Black Death entry anchors the plague-pandemic date claim.

## Further Reading

- [Middle Ages | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/event/Middle-Ages)
- [Feudalism | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/topic/feudalism)
- [Black Death | Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/event/Black-Death)