Possible Clues:

• Early Mediaeval period in Western Europe
• Primitive period
• Pre-medieval era
• Ignorant period without Sun and Times?
• Historical era following the fall of the Roman Empire
• Historical period c. 500 to 1000
• Five hundred on the ancient mariner's boat at times in era of ignorance
• Era of ignorance
• Historical period between 500 and 1000
• Some French seizing ship with silver in a time of barbarity?