The Middle Ages, also called the Medieval Period, took place in Europe from about the end of the 5th century to the end of the 15th century. The early Middle Ages were marked by a drop in population, the fall of organized power, wars, and large-scale movements. As Christianity and other new religions spread across Europe, people started new churches. During this time, manorialism and feudalism ruled European society. Manorialism meant that peasants lived in villages that owed rent and labor serv