The Dark Age (1015-1998), was the Narnian world's mysterious middle era, immediately following the Golden Age, in which a time of intellectual darkness ("unenlightenment"), decline in economic prosperity, and social collapse swept across the Narnian Empire and other civilisations for 983 Narnian years. Apparently education and learning greatly decreased after the strange disappearance of the four beloved Pevensie rulers of Narnia while hunting the White Stag in 1015. Records and documentation of Narnia's history suddenly ceased altogether and a period of apparent lack of rule ensued. Not one of the young Pevensie kings and queens had left any known heir or successor at all, and since their reign had begun after defeat of the White Witch, their disappearance left no royal family whatsoever.