Final answer:
The Middle Ages, also known as the Medieval period, started with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE and ended with the European Renaissance in the late fourteenth century. It lasted for approximately 1000 years, from the 5th until the 15th centuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Middle Ages, also known as the Medieval period, started with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE and ended with the European Renaissance in the late fourteenth century. It lasted for approximately 1000 years, from the 5th until the 15th centuries. During this time, Europe experienced political and military discord, with inhabitants seeking protection within walled cities and submitting to powerful lords. The Middle Ages can be further divided into the Early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages, and the Late Middle Ages.