Final answer:
The period that marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity in European history and covered the 15th and 16th centuries is commonly known as the Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period that marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity in European history and covered the 15th and 16th centuries is commonly known as the Renaissance. The Renaissance is regarded as the cultural bridge between the Middle Ages and modern history. It began as a cultural movement in Italy, specifically in Florence, and later spread to the rest of Europe.