A hierarchy of king, lords, vassals, knights, and serfs developed.

1. The Middle Ages lasted from the decline of Rome to the emergence of the modern European world in about 1450. Feudalism developed as a means of protection from invaders, but eventually became a part of political, social, and economic life. The economic system that supported feudalism was based on the manor, which had a village and land ruled by a lord. The Catholic Church played a major role in all areas of medieval life. The church became the chief patron of the arts. The church officials were educated and referred to by kings and nobles. New technologies emerged, such as crop rotation and the heavy plow. These allowed for more food production. In this society, women were subordinate to men. A hierarchy of king, lords, vassals, knights, and serfs developed. Manors supplied food, shelter, and clothes. They were self-sufficient. Many Germanic groups were pushed into Western Europe by the Huns. These invasions broke the stability of the Roman Empire, resulting in its decline. Charlemagne was a Germanic person who build a strong kingdom and brought Europe into the modern world.