Try to picture a world of far fewer people, where families lived together longer and didn’t leave their home towns; where times were harsh and dangerous; where most ordinary people worked as farmers; where everything happened slowly…WELCOME TO THE MIDDLE AGES!

THE MIDDLE AGES Considered to be the millennium between 500 and 1500 Bridge between the passing of the classical civilization (Greek/Romans) and the coming of modern European civilization Also called “The Dark Ages” or the “Medieval Age” from the Latin medius, “middle,” plus aevum, “age”

Feudalism Political system from the 10th to 14th century Noblemen pledge “fealty” (loyalty) to the king in exchange for inheritable “fiefs” (land grants) Serfs worked on the land in exchange for protection from the nobles and their own land This is...

Manor Life People formed small communities with a central lord all over Europe The lord, lady, and knights lived in the manor house (castle) Manors included peasant huts, a church, and shops near the central castle Millers, blacksmiths, carpenters, and other tradesmen worked for manor self-sufficiency Isolated with occasional peddlers, pilgrims, and soldiers

Alnwick Castle

Knights Noble soldier on horseback who fights for manor and country and lives by the chivalric code Steps to becoming a Knight: Page ~ at age 7 sent to a manor to learn to ride, hunt, art of combat, and manners Squire ~ at age 14 serve knight to learn more fighting skills Knight ~ age 21 dubbed a knight in an elaborate ceremony

The Church Important influence in the Middle Ages, standing for law and order when governments were weak Preserved the writings of the Greek and Romans Conducted marriages, burials, baptisms Maintained hospitals, asylums, orphanages, and poor houses Preached the Crusades, a series of military expeditions to regain the Holy Land from the Muslims

Gothic Cathedral

Medieval Cathedrals

Gloucester Cathedral

Medieval Towns Always near places of safety such as a castle or monastery, or somewhere with commercial advantage such as bodies of water Usually crowded, unsanitary, and hazardous (fires) Similar stores of business as manors Craftsmen and merchants there form guilds

Medieval Town in France

Cultural Advances in the Middle Ages Art Architecture Music Education Inventions Science

Four Horseman of the Apocalypse FAMINE: 1315-1316, 10% of Europe dead PESTILENCE: 1347-1350, the Black Plague kills 25 million WAR: throughout the Middle Ages, from Charlemagne, Crusades, Hundred Years’ War, War of the Roses, etc. DEATH: All combine to kill half the population

Chivalry Comes from the French word chevalier, which means “knight” Now associated with the ideals of knighthood Common traits/characteristics include skill, courage, humility, courtesy, loyalty, and pride The pentangle’s five virtues of chivalry: friendship, generosity, chastity, courtesy, and piety THE CODE: To never do outrage nor murder Always to flee treason To by no means be cruel but to give mercy unto him who asks for mercy To always do ladies, gentlewomen and widows succor To never force ladies, gentlewomen or widows Not to take up battles in wrongful quarrels for love or worldly goods

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Written in 1370 The author is unknown Scholars believe he was an aristocrat because he was well versed in both French and Latin Composed his romantic poem in Middle English Prime example of medieval poetry involving King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table