The Middle Ages comprised the period between 500 and 1500 AD respectively. It is best known as the period that occurred after the fall of the Roman Empire, when the Eastern world seemed to have plunged into an era of regression and darkness. Education and civilization were apparently wiped out and forgotten because the barbarians who seized the lands that Rome had once occupied were illiterate and hungry for power. However, as uneducated as they may have appeared, they understood that Rome only reached its peak as a great power through education. Barbarians who became emperors of their newly conquered and claimed lands understood that written law helped maintain order and that educated clerks were needed to keep track of charters, money, and enforce written law. . Charlemagne (768-814 AD) was one of the most notable emperors who realized that education was necessary not only for order, but also for his nation and other nations to persevere. He issued a decree stating that all churches and bishops were to establish schools and educate all freemen and serfs capable and willing to learn. These church-run schools would eventually become one of the three main types of schools that emerged in the Middle Ages. These three schools, the monastic school, the high school and the university, will soon be mentioned. While Charlemagne managed to establish a small school, most churches refused to establish schools that would train freemen and serfs. Eventually, they even refused to accept anyone under the age of fourteen. These schools, usually called monastic schools, were established specifically to teach those who would later become monks and they wanted no part in the education of those who did not plan... middle of paper ...... guides cover. Np, and Web. December 4, 2013. .WebsiteCommentsLinkTagsParentheticalEditDelete “Medieval Universities”. Medieval universities. Np, and Web. December 02, 2013.WebsiteCommentsLinkTagsParentheticalEditDelete"Medieval universities." Medieval universities. Np, and Web. December 3, 2013. .WebsiteCommentsLinkTagsParentheticalEditDelete "The Middle Ages for Children - Education and Preservation." Middle Ages for Children - Education and Preservation. Np, and Web. December 3, 2013. .WebsiteCommentsLinkTagsParentheticalEditDeleteNewman, Paul B. Growing up in the Middle Ages. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland &, 2007. Print.Parry, Albert William. Education in England in the Middle Ages. New York: AMS, 1975. Print.