Unit 1: The Middle Ages Mr. Galuhn Modern World History Unit 1: The Middle Ages Mr. Galuhn

The Medieval World 476-1300 C.E. (Common Era) Before 1000 C.E. Wars/Invasions with Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims caused widespread disorder and suffering in Europe. After 1000 C.E. life in Medieval Europe started to improve: Greater Peace and Stability within regions New Farming techniques: improved plow that is heavier drawn by horses (faster) and has wheels Three Field System

The Three Field System

The Medieval Home (Peasants = 90% of Population) Thatched Roof: Home for animals, especially rats Mud Floors: Cold/Wet One Big Room: No Privacy and Shared with Farm Animals at night/in winter

Church Domination Western Europe during the Middle Ages was dominated by the Catholic Church. Enormous Papal Power Church Taxation 10% (Called a Tithe)

Feudalism Feudalism: A social, political, and military organization of society; system of governing and landholding Based on Rights and Responsibilities that are mutual.

Feudalism Social Order King leader Church (clergy) spiritual guides Lord rich / powerful / landowners Vassal rich / managers Knight protectors / defenders Peasants skilled workers / by choice Serfs unskilled workers / no choice * Must know the order (k-c-l-v-k-p-s)

Feudalism Structure of Society Lord: A wealthy noble who owns land castle; gives land (fief) to a vassal. Fief or Manor: Land that is granted to a vassal Vassal: A favorite subject of a leader who became a landowner and received a fief. (In return for military service and taxes)

Feudalism Structure of Society The relationship between lords and vassals made up a big part of the political (Government) and social (Society) structure of the feudal system. The highest lord is the king and all nobles were essentially vassals to their king. There are some examples where that loyalty is tested throughout history.

Feudalism Structure of Society Knights: mounted horsemen who pledged to defend their lord’s lands in exchange for fiefs. (knights are a type of vassal) Most Nobles become Knights Training begins at age 7 as a Page Become a Squire at age 15 At 21 a Squire was usually “dubbed” a Knight Only if they were considered worthy Expensive (horse, armor, squires) Heavy Cavalry of Middle Ages

Feudalism Structure of Society Guildsmen: groups of skilled workers and craftsmen: Blacksmiths (Smiths), Carpenters, Millers, Fletchers, Brewers, Tailors (Taylor)…etc. Often these are still peasants…but could have more money. Peasants: There were two types of peasants: Freemen: skilled workers/farmers who paid rent and worked the land (free to leave) Serfs: workers/farmers who were bound by contract or law to the land they were born on Slaves?

Feudalism Structure of Society The Lives of Women: Very dependent on the social class of the woman. Nobles have it much better than Peasants… Noble-women supervised the home, could help with raising of children (once again there are variations to this). Peasant-women usually worked in the fields alongside family, raised children, were servants. Often women could not inherit property (depending on society they are in) Women had no political or church power Few rights, subject to abuse from above.

Castle Life cold and damp no heat walls covered with tapestry foul air main hall for sleeping, eating fire always burning polluted moat no bathrooms, few baths taken wine and beer main beverage

Castle Life Who Lives in the Castle? Lord/King Noble Women Noble Children Relatives Servants Pilgrims Peddlers Friars Prisoners

Castle Life Purpose of the Castle Home for Lord and family Protection / fortress during war Center of entertainment and all activity

Castle Life Parts of a Medieval Castle: Motte and Bailey: is not part of a castle; it is the predecessor to the castle Bailey: a courtyard or open space surrounded by walls Motte: a body of water surrounding the outer wall of a castle; primary purpose to stop tunneling Keep: the tallest and strongest structure in the castle; used as the last line of defense during siege or attack Portcullis: a metal or wood grate that was dropped vertically just inside the main gate to the castle

Castle Life Drawbridge: wooden bridge in the front of the main gate Barbican: a stone structure that protected the gate of a castle (gatehouse) Battlements: structures at the tops of the walls surrounding a castle Rampart: walkway built right up against the outer wall Buttress: Projection used as additional support for walls Arrow Loops: slots in the walls and structures that were used to shoot arrows through Curtain Wall: stone walls around the castle

The Tower of London Built in the late 1000’s

Inside the Tower Today