Life in Medieval Europe

The Middle Ages: “Do what you’re told” 1. Happened approximately from 476 until 1400 A.D. 2. Was a time of transition from the Roman empire to Renaissance Europe. 3. Was often known as the Dark Ages.

A. The Feudal System 1. Society was organized in to strict classes. 2. Each level gave land to the one below. Each level gave service to the one above. 3. The majority of the population (90%) was made up of peasants and serfs.

B. The Roman Catholic Church Leo X 1. The head of the church was the Pope who lived in Rome. 2. Nearly everyone in Europe during this time was a Roman Catholic. 3. The Pope even had some power over the actions of Kings.

Positive Things about the Church 1. Unity: Everyone believed: the same things. 2. Charity: Church was responsible for all charities and hospitals. 3. Kept learning alive: Monks copied out many books from Greeks and Romans. 4. Security: Gave people answers, rules, and hope for the future.

"Reception and Treatment of the Impoverished Sick in a Monastery Infirmary," from the 13th Century. Medieval hospitals offered their patients comfort but not medical care. Here patients were fed, given a place to rest, and encouraged to pray for help from Heaven. Prayers have apparently worked for the patient in the upper right frame of the painting, since angels are helping his soul (the small person) to heaven as he dies. The patient in the lower right frame has not been as lucky - demons are receiving his soul.

Psalter Hours of Yolande de Soissons, French, Amiens, c. 1280-90 "War in Heaven" France, c. 1320 Psalter Hours of Yolande de Soissons, French, Amiens, c. 1280-90

Negative Things about the Church 1. Wealth: The Church had the power to tax people. Called a tithe. The Church became one of the wealthiest institutions in Europe. 2. Fear: People were afraid of being shunned by the church (excommunicated), or worse, burned at the stake (as a heretic). 3. Dishonesty: The Church said you could earn your way into heaven by paying big donations. (Indulgences) 4. Discouraged new learning: Science was often seen as an enemy of faith.

May 30, 1431 Joan of Arc 1412 - 1431

English picture depicting the church sale of indulgences. The church said you got to heaven not only through faith, but also through good work (like donations to the church).

A view of the universe where the earth is the centre, not the sun

C. Life in the Country 1. Land was given to loyal nobles and knights by the kings. The nobles would then control the land and rent it out to peasants. The villages and farmland were called Manors.

Buckinghamshire 15th and 16th century brick manor house with fortified tower and stepped gables. Originally the home of the Russell family, then Earls of Bedford, and visited by Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

2. Some peasants were free and worked for the lord for wages 2. Some peasants were free and worked for the lord for wages. Many peasants were legally tied to lords and had to work for them forever. They were called serfs.

3. Lords were required to protect their peasants and serfs, as well as provide a mill and an oven. In exchange the peasants and serfs paid taxes, as well as providing free labour.

a Medieval Cottage (13th century) from Hangleton, Sussex 4. Housing. Peasant housing was pretty basic: wattle and daub (wood and mud). The roof was thatch made from straw.

David Teniers the Younger. Flanders. In a Peasant Cottage. Floors were dirt. There were usually two rooms, and often you lived with any animals you had.

Peasants ate: bread, grains, cabbage, peas, milk, Banquet royal Grandes Chroniques de France, 1375-1379 5. Diet. Peasants ate: bread, grains, cabbage, peas, milk, cheese, eggs, ale, fruit; but very little meat. Nobles ate: all of the above plus lots of meat, fish, and foods with spices.

D. Life in a Castle 1. The purpose of a castle: protection. 2. Parts of a castle:

D. Life in a Castle 1. Living conditions in a castle: cold, drafty, dark, damp, cramped, crowded.