The Middle Ages: Myth and Reality

Common Sayings…. 1. “Pressed for an answer” or “Pressed for time” 2. “graveyard shift” 3. “saved by the bell” 4. “a June bride” or the bridal bouquet 5. “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water” 6. “It’s raining cats & dogs

The Middle Ages: The Reality In reality, life in the Middle Ages, a period that extended from approximately the 5th century to the 15th century in Western Europe, could also be harsh, uncertain, and dangerous.

Feudalism: The SPICE of Middle Age Life! SOCIAL & POLITICAL :Was a system of government based on obligation to people of “higher social status. It was De-centralized. INTERACTION w/ ENVIRONMENT: Farmed the land, used the land to provide shelter (i.e. Castles, Manors, etc.). Little mobility (migration) of people. CULTURE: Religion was a big part of life w/ little education. Religion heavily influenced art, architecture, etc. ECONOMICS: All economic activity was on the Manors & they were self-sufficient. Little to no trade occurred during this time.  Most peasants were serfs.  Serfs were mostly farmers who were tied to the land (not slaves because they could not be bought or sold but,…) Serfs farmed the land, maintained roads and the manor, etc. Serfs paid taxes to their lord in the form of crops. 

MEDIEVAL LIFE Cooperation and Mutual Obligations FEUDALISM: POLITICAL SYSTEM Decentralized, local government Dependent upon the relationship between members of the nobility Lord and his vassals administered justice and were the highest authority in their land MANORIALISM: ECONOMIC SYSTEM Agriculture the basis for wealth Lands divided up into self-sufficient manors Peasants (serfs) worked the land and paid rent In exchange for protection Barter the usual form of exchange KING LORDS (VASSALS TO KING) KNIGHTS (VASSALS TO LORDS) Fief and Peasants Military Aid Food Protection Shelter Food Protection Shelter PEASANTS (SERFS) Pay Rent Farm the Land Homage Military Service Loyalty

Differences in Social Classes Nobles divided their land among the lesser nobility, who became their vassals. Many of these vassals became so powerful that the kings had difficulty controlling them. HARD WORK & HIGH TAXES Peasants worked hard to cultivate the land and produce the goods that the lord and his manor needed. They were heavily taxed and were required to relinquish much of what they harvested . \

Castles vs Manors Castles do not become common until after the year 1000, as they were expensive to build and maintain.

The Manor Most people lived on a manor, which consisted of the castle (or manor house), the church, the village, and the surrounding farm land. Manor vs. Castle – A castle was a military structure, while a manor was the house of a great lord, an estate that the Serfs (peasants) belonged to before the Bubonic Plague

Manors & Self-Sufficiency Each manor was largely self-sufficient, growing/ producing all of the basic items needed for food, clothing, and shelter. Manor buildings were devoted to special purposes: -The mill for grinding grain -The bake house for making bread -Blacksmith for creating metal goods.

Law & Order in the Middle Ages

More Law & Order: Fun Times Keeping order for the more hardened criminal.

Women: Household Chores Nobles or peasants, women held a difficult position in society. Mostly confined to household tasks: cooking, baking bread, sewing, weaving, and spinning. A few medieval women held other occupations: Blacksmiths, merchants, & apothecaries.

Hunting & Fighting However, they also hunted for food and fought in battles, learning to use weapons to defend their homes and castles.

Midwives, Farmers, & Artists Some were midwives, worked in the fields, or were engaged in creative endeavors such as writing, playing musical instruments, dancing, and painting. Still others, hunted for food and fought in battles, learning to use weapons to defend their homes & castles.

Witches & Nuns Some women were known as witches, capable of sorcery and healing. Others became nuns and devoted their lives to God and spiritual matters.

The Catholic Church The Catholic Church was the only church in Europe during the Middle Ages, and it had its own laws and large income. Church leaders such as bishops and archbishops sat on the king's council and played leading roles in government.

Bishops Bishops were often wealthy & came from noble families & ruled over groups of parishes. Parish priests often came from humble backgrounds and usually had little education. The village priest tended to the sick and the homeless.

Monasteries Monasteries were based on the rules set down by St. Benedict in the 6th century. Monks took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to their leaders. Monks performed manual labor (usually in silence) and were forbidden to own property, leave the monastery, or become entangled in the concerns of society. Monks were often well educated and devoted their lives to writing and learning.

Medieval Village

Health & Hygiene As the populations of medieval towns and cities increased, hygienic conditions worsened, leading to a vast array of health problems Antibiotics weren't invented until the 1800s and it was almost impossible to cure diseases

Medicine, Myths & Superstitions It was also assumed that diseases of the body resulted from sins of the soul. Medical treatment was available mostly to the wealthy. Remedies were often herbal in nature, but also included ground earthworms, urine, and animal excrement. Bloodletting was a popular method of restoring a patient's health. Early surgery, often done by barbers without anesthesia, must have been excruciating.

Literature: The Canterbury Tales Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is a series of stories told by 30 pilgrims as they traveled to Canterbury.

Arts & Entertainment Art and music were an important part of religious life. Singing was done without instrumental accompaniment. . Monks and priests chanted the divine offices and the mass daily. Some churches had instruments such as organs and bells.

Tradesmen With the advent of trade & commerce, feudal life declined. As the tradesmen became wealthier, they resented having to give their profits to their lords.

Merchants, Trade & Town Governments Evolve as Feudal Life Fades Soon towns evolved separate from Feudal life. The townspeople became "free" citizens, & powerful families, particularly in Italy, struggled to gain control Craftsman’s Guilds (artisans, masons, armorers, bakers, shoemakers, ropemakers, dyers, etc.) come about

End of Feudlaism Marked by The Printing Press and,… Printing began in 1450 The 1st publication was the Bible by Johannes Gutenberg. This revolutionized the spread of learning. Other inventions of the time included mechanical clocks, tower mills, and guns.

The Birth of the Renaissance! The inventions of Leonardo da Vinci and the voyages of discovery in the fifteenth century contributed to the birth of the Renaissance.