The Middle Ages An Epic Presentation

Living Quarters For safety and defense, people formed small communities around a central lord or master. Most people lived on a manor, which consisted of the castle, the Church, the village, and the surrounding farm land.

The Feudal System (Chain-of-Command) In the feudal system, the king owned all the land and awarded land grants or fiefs to his most important nobles, his barons and his bishops, in return for their contribution of soldiers to the king’s army. Each noble then divided his estate among lesser nobles who then subleased their portions to the working class and so on down the line.

The Feudal System (Chain-of-Command) On the lowest end of this system were the peasants and serfs. In exchange for living and working on his land, the lord offered his peasants protection.

A Breakdown of the Hierarchy LORD: a ruler who grants a fief in return for military service. VASSAL: a person who receives a fief and in return owes the lord: 1. Foot soldiers 2. Ransom money if the lord is captured in war. 3. Lodging and food for the lord and his followers when they visit the vassal’s fief KNIGHT: a noble who pledges loyalty to a lord, often in exchange for land. PEASANT: a person who works the land. SERF: a peasant of the lowest class, who is bound to the land and cannot leave it.

Peasant Life Peasants worked the land and produced the goods that the lord and his manor needed. The serfs lived a very difficult life; they were heavily taxed and were required to give up much of what they harvested. They did not even belong to themselves according to medieval law.

Peasant Homes Most medieval homes were cold, damp, and dark Often it was brighter outside the home than within its walls. For security, windows, when they were present, were very small openings with wooden shutters that were closed at night or in bad weather.

Peasant Homes Many peasant families ate, slept, and spent time together in very small quarters, rarely more than one or two rooms. The houses had thatched roofs and were easily destroyed.

Homes of the Wealthy The homes of the rich were more elaborate than the peasants’ homes. Their floors were paved, as opposed to being covered with rushes and herbs, and were sometimes decorated with tiles. Tapestries were hung on the walls, providing not only decoration but also an extra layer of warmth.

Homes of the Wealthy Beautiful windows with lattice frames were covered in fabric soaked in tallow and resin, which allowed light in, kept out drafts, and could be removed in good weather. Only the very wealthy could afford glass windows.

The Role of Women It should come as no surprise that women, whether they were nobles or peasants, held a difficult position in society. They were largely confined to household chores such as cooking, baking bread, sewing, weaving, and spinning. However, they also hunted for food and fought in battles, learning to use weapons to defend their homes and castles.

The Role of Women There were also women blacksmiths, merchants, and apothecaries Others were midwives, worked in the fields, or were engaged in creative endeavors such as writing, playing musical instruments, dancing, and painting. Some women were known as witches, capable of sorcery and healing. Others became nuns and devoted their lives to God and spiritual matters.

Joan of Arc A French peasant’s daughter, Joan of Arc, or St. Joan, heard voices telling her to lead France against the English invasion. She dressed in men’s armor and led her troops to victory in the early 15th century. “The Maid of Orleans”, as she was known later, was eventually accused of being a witch and burned at the stake.

Ye Olde Garb Most people in the middle ages wore woolen clothing, with undergarments made of linen. Brighter colors, better materials, and a longer jacket length were usually signs of extreme wealth. The clothing of the aristocracy and wealthy merchants tended to be elaborate and changed according to the trend in fashion.

Ye Olde Garb Towards the end of the Middle Ages, men of wealthy classes sported hose and a jacket, often with pleating or skirting. Women wore flowing gowns and elaborate headpieces, ranging from headdresses shaped like hearts or butterflies to tall steeple caps and Italian turbans.

Some Pictures—Peasants

Some Pictures—Peasants

Some Pictures—Peasants

Some Pictures—Middle Class

Some Pictures—Upper Class

Some Pictures—Upper Class

Some Pictures—Children

Health As the population of medieval towns and cities increased, hygienic conditions worsened, leading to a vast array of health problems. Medical knowledge was limited and, despite the efforts of doctors to institute regulations, medieval Europe did not have an adequate health care system. Antibiotics were not invented until the 1800s and it was almost impossible to cure diseases without them.

The Black Death The Black Death is considered one of the worst natural disasters in history. In the 14th Century, a great plague swept over Europe, ravaging cities and causing widespread hysteria and death. Half of the population of Europe died. The primary culprits in transmitting this disease were Oriental rat fleas carried on the back of black rats.

The Black Death The bubonic plague was the most common form of the Black Death. The mortality rate was 75 %. The symptoms were enlarged and inflamed lymph nodes (around arm pits, neck, and groin). Victims were subject to headaches, chills, aching joints, fever of 104 degrees, nausea, and a general feeling of illness. Symptoms took from three to seven days to appear.

Arts and Entertainment Art and music were important to medieval life. Monks and priests chanted the divine offices and the mass daily and some churches had organs and bells. Medieval drama grew out of Biblical stories. These dramas were performed with costumes and music and took place outside of the church.

Arts and Entertainment Jousting was the favorite sport of the age. On a wide, gaily decorated field known as the lists, mounted and armored knights contended for a coveted prize usually awarded by the queen of the tournament. Knights tilted and jousted and unhorsed each other with great skill, while the stands rocked with cheering fans.

Religion Religion in this time period was dominated by Christianity. The Roman Catholic Church was the primary church in Europe during the Middle Ages, and it had its own laws. Church leaders, such as bishops and archbishops sat on the king’s council and played leading roles in government.

The End

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