The Middle Ages, also known as the Medieval Period, lasted from the 5th to the late 15th century. It began after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and is often divided into three phases: the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages. This era saw the rise of feudalism, where land was held by lords and worked by peasants, and the spread of Christianity across Europe. During the Middle Ages, significant cultural and intellectual developments occurred, including the establishment of universities and the flourishing of Gothic architecture. Important events, such as the Crusades and the Black Death, shaped society and influenced the transition to the Renaissance.