A new survey by YouGov has shed light on how Americans perceive the Middle Ages—and for many, it’s not a golden age of knights and cathedrals. According to the poll, the most common words associated with the period are “violent” (54%), “dark” (48%), and “dirty” (37%). While castles and chivalry still capture the public imagination, overall impressions of the medieval period remain split, with as many people holding unfavourable views as favourable ones.
The survey, published on YouGov’s U.S. website this March, reveals that for many Americans, the Middle Ages conjure images of brutality and backwardness rather than art, architecture, or learning.
For @today.yougov.com , I asked Americans what they think about the European Middle Ages.
The results are mixed, but not particularly positive.
Find out more, with lots of charts, in my full article: today.yougov.com/entertainmen…
Public opinion on the Middle Ages appears evenly divided. One-third (34%) of Americans surveyed said they had a favourable view of the era, while the same number (34%) expressed unfavourable views. The remaining 32% were either unsure or neutral. This balance suggests that while some continue to romanticize the period, others associate it with suffering, repression, or stagnation.
The poll offered respondents a list of adjectives to describe the Middle Ages. In addition to “violent,” “dark,” and “dirty,” other frequently chosen descriptors included “romantic” (21%), “religious” (27%), and “scientifically backward” (26%). These responses reflect the common modern perception of the medieval era as both physically grim and intellectually limited—what historians often refer to as the “Dark Ages” stereotype.
Castles and Chivalry Still Resonate
Despite the negative associations, certain elements of the Middle Ages continue to hold broad appeal. Castles received the most positive responses, with 75% of Americans saying they viewed them favourably. The concept of chivalry also proved popular, garnering 63% approval. Gothic architecture—one of the era’s most visible and enduring legacies—was favoured by 61% of respondents.
These findings suggest that while the Middle Ages may be broadly misunderstood or maligned, specific cultural touchstones continue to fascinate the public. Romanticised depictions of medieval knighthood, grand stone fortresses, and dramatic cathedral spires still strike a chord, especially through their frequent appearances in film, television, and fantasy literature.
One of my favorite experiments was to give people a range of dates, ranging from 100 AD to 1700 AD, and ask whether they thought that year was in the European Middle Ages or not.
A fair share of people didn’t know, but I think the results are really revealing about popular conceptions:
Other aspects of medieval life and history were less positively received. For instance, the Inquisition and the Crusades both had a net negative perception, while the Black Plague received overwhelmingly unfavourable responses—74% of Americans said they viewed it negatively, which perhaps comes as no surprise given its devastating toll and recent parallels with global pandemics.
How Much Do Americans Think About the Middle Ages?
For most Americans, the Middle Ages are not a regular part of their thoughts. Only 11% said they think about the medieval era weekly or more often. Meanwhile, 42% reported never thinking about the period at all. Another 31% said they rarely thought about it, and 15% claimed to consider it “sometimes.”
This low level of engagement may help explain why misconceptions and negative stereotypes persist. Without regular exposure to more nuanced or academic interpretations of the period, many people’s impressions are shaped by dramatic portrayals in popular media—or vague memories from school.
Indeed, when asked where they had learned about the Middle Ages, most respondents cited school (62%) or movies and television shows (51%) as their primary sources. Only 26% credited books outside of school, while 17% mentioned museums, and just 10% said they’d learned from talking to someone with academic expertise.
These results point to a gap between scholarly knowledge and public perception. Historians have long worked to revise outdated assumptions about the so-called “Dark Ages,” highlighting advances in philosophy, technology, literature, and science. Yet these revisions have not reached the general public in large numbers.
What Do Americans Know About the Middle Ages?
The survey also asked Americans how much they knew about the Middle Ages. Only 2% said they knew “a lot,” and 21% said they knew “a fair amount.” A further 44% admitted to knowing “not much,” while 18% said they knew “nothing at all.”
Men were slightly more likely than women to claim knowledge of the period, and older respondents tended to rate their familiarity higher than younger ones. These gaps may reflect both generational differences in education and the gendered portrayal of medieval history in pop culture, which often centres on male figures such as knights, kings, and crusaders.
The lack of familiarity with the period also likely contributes to the reliance on media depictions. Films and series such as Braveheart, Game of Thrones, or The Last Kingdom—while entertaining—often prioritise drama over accuracy, reinforcing images of constant violence, mud-splattered peasants, and tyrannical rulers.
Good news, you can! The article includes the full survey PDF, with a methodology statement. This is a scientific survey weighted on gender, age, race, education and political views to be representative of the U.S. adult citizen population:
YouGov is an international online research and data analytics firm headquartered in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2000, it conducts public opinion polling and market research in multiple countries. Known for its detailed surveys and interactive data tools, YouGov frequently explores topics ranging from politics and current affairs to culture and entertainment.
The recent Middle Ages survey is part of YouGov’s ongoing effort to explore how historical eras, events, and figures are remembered—and misunderstood—by the public. While the findings may disappoint medievalists, they also highlight an opportunity: to broaden awareness of the rich complexity of the Middle Ages beyond the battlefield and the plague cart.
You can read the full article and view detailed survey data on YouGov’s website.
A new survey by YouGov has shed light on how Americans perceive the Middle Ages—and for many, it’s not a golden age of knights and cathedrals. According to the poll, the most common words associated with the period are “violent” (54%), “dark” (48%), and “dirty” (37%). While castles and chivalry still capture the public imagination, overall impressions of the medieval period remain split, with as many people holding unfavourable views as favourable ones.
The survey, published on YouGov’s U.S. website this March, reveals that for many Americans, the Middle Ages conjure images of brutality and backwardness rather than art, architecture, or learning.
A Mixed Reputation
Public opinion on the Middle Ages appears evenly divided. One-third (34%) of Americans surveyed said they had a favourable view of the era, while the same number (34%) expressed unfavourable views. The remaining 32% were either unsure or neutral. This balance suggests that while some continue to romanticize the period, others associate it with suffering, repression, or stagnation.
The poll offered respondents a list of adjectives to describe the Middle Ages. In addition to “violent,” “dark,” and “dirty,” other frequently chosen descriptors included “romantic” (21%), “religious” (27%), and “scientifically backward” (26%). These responses reflect the common modern perception of the medieval era as both physically grim and intellectually limited—what historians often refer to as the “Dark Ages” stereotype.
Castles and Chivalry Still Resonate
Despite the negative associations, certain elements of the Middle Ages continue to hold broad appeal. Castles received the most positive responses, with 75% of Americans saying they viewed them favourably. The concept of chivalry also proved popular, garnering 63% approval. Gothic architecture—one of the era’s most visible and enduring legacies—was favoured by 61% of respondents.
These findings suggest that while the Middle Ages may be broadly misunderstood or maligned, specific cultural touchstones continue to fascinate the public. Romanticised depictions of medieval knighthood, grand stone fortresses, and dramatic cathedral spires still strike a chord, especially through their frequent appearances in film, television, and fantasy literature.
Other aspects of medieval life and history were less positively received. For instance, the Inquisition and the Crusades both had a net negative perception, while the Black Plague received overwhelmingly unfavourable responses—74% of Americans said they viewed it negatively, which perhaps comes as no surprise given its devastating toll and recent parallels with global pandemics.
How Much Do Americans Think About the Middle Ages?
For most Americans, the Middle Ages are not a regular part of their thoughts. Only 11% said they think about the medieval era weekly or more often. Meanwhile, 42% reported never thinking about the period at all. Another 31% said they rarely thought about it, and 15% claimed to consider it “sometimes.”
This low level of engagement may help explain why misconceptions and negative stereotypes persist. Without regular exposure to more nuanced or academic interpretations of the period, many people’s impressions are shaped by dramatic portrayals in popular media—or vague memories from school.
Indeed, when asked where they had learned about the Middle Ages, most respondents cited school (62%) or movies and television shows (51%) as their primary sources. Only 26% credited books outside of school, while 17% mentioned museums, and just 10% said they’d learned from talking to someone with academic expertise.
These results point to a gap between scholarly knowledge and public perception. Historians have long worked to revise outdated assumptions about the so-called “Dark Ages,” highlighting advances in philosophy, technology, literature, and science. Yet these revisions have not reached the general public in large numbers.
What Do Americans Know About the Middle Ages?
The survey also asked Americans how much they knew about the Middle Ages. Only 2% said they knew “a lot,” and 21% said they knew “a fair amount.” A further 44% admitted to knowing “not much,” while 18% said they knew “nothing at all.”
Men were slightly more likely than women to claim knowledge of the period, and older respondents tended to rate their familiarity higher than younger ones. These gaps may reflect both generational differences in education and the gendered portrayal of medieval history in pop culture, which often centres on male figures such as knights, kings, and crusaders.
The lack of familiarity with the period also likely contributes to the reliance on media depictions. Films and series such as Braveheart, Game of Thrones, or The Last Kingdom—while entertaining—often prioritise drama over accuracy, reinforcing images of constant violence, mud-splattered peasants, and tyrannical rulers.
YouGov is an international online research and data analytics firm headquartered in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2000, it conducts public opinion polling and market research in multiple countries. Known for its detailed surveys and interactive data tools, YouGov frequently explores topics ranging from politics and current affairs to culture and entertainment.
The recent Middle Ages survey is part of YouGov’s ongoing effort to explore how historical eras, events, and figures are remembered—and misunderstood—by the public. While the findings may disappoint medievalists, they also highlight an opportunity: to broaden awareness of the rich complexity of the Middle Ages beyond the battlefield and the plague cart.
You can read the full article and view detailed survey data on YouGov’s website.
Top Image: Photo by Salvatore Vassallo / Flickr
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