Western Europe-The Middle Ages and Crusades

Here we discuss the period following the fall of the Roman Empire in Europe, and before the Renaissance--The Middle Ages! Western Europe changed dramatically entering a period of feudalism when power was based upon control of land.  There was a decline in culture, learning, and ultimately the Crusades as the power of the Church grows.  Following the Crusades, however, a new period of trade and rebirth will  emerge, ending the Middle Ages and leading to the Renaissance.