Background on the Middle Ages

After the fall of Rome, Feudalism emerged to protect people from the chaos.  At this time, Europe saw the emergence of kings and queens, knights, and castles.  Also at this time, the Roman Catholic Church emerged as the most powerful group in all of Europe.  The following pages will explore the growth of feudalism in Europe and what life was like for the people who lived in this system.  Also, comparisons will be made between European Feudalism and Japanese Feudalism.  Next, these pages will explore the Christian Crusades for the holy land that occurred in the late Middle Ages.  In this section, comparisons between the Christian and Muslim perspectives of the Crusades will appear.  Finally, visit the photo gallery to see images illustrating feudalism and the Crusades, as well as maps to illustrate where these events took place.

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