The Middle Ages: 500-1500 (1066-1485) Myth and Reality

The Middle Ages: The Myth We think of knights in shining armor, lavish banquets, wandering bards, kings, queens, bishops, monks, pilgrims, and glorious pageantry. In film and in literature, medieval life seems heroic, entertaining, and romantic.

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. Brief Preview

Prelude to War Alfred the Great Edward the Confessor 878 CE – Defeats Danish Vikings and pushes them into Northern England Many settle in France, Normandy Edward the Confessor Dies without an heir Creates problems about who will replace him

Conflicting Claims Harold of Wessex William of Normandy Harold claimed Edward pronounced him king with his dying breath Harold named king William of Normandy 2nd cousin to Edward Visited with Edward in 1051 – was promised the throne Because of conflicting claims for the throne, the Normans invade, leading to the rise of feudalism

Feudalism More Info

The Feudal System Under the feudal system, the king awarded land grants or fiefs to his most important nobles, barons, and bishops, in return for their contribution of soldiers for the king's armies.

Manorialism: Peasants worked the land and paid dues in return for the use of land Lord was expected to provide protection for his peasants Middle Ages system that organized rural economy and society Economic part of feudalism All aspects of life were centered on the lord’s manor including the village, church, farm land and mill Involved a hierarchy of reciprocal obligations that exchanged labor or rents for access to land Gave Lord of manor political/ governmental power over his peasants

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.

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Self-Sufficiency Each manor was largely self-sufficient, growing or producing all of the basic items needed for food, clothing, and shelter. To meet these needs, the manor had buildings devoted to special purposes, such as: The mill for grinding grain The bake house for making bread The blacksmith shop for creating metal goods.

Isolation These manors were isolated, with occasional visits from peddlers, pilgrims on their way to holy shrines, or soldiers from other fiefdoms.

MEDIEVAL LIFE Cooperation and Mutual Obligations KING 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

Literature Moving from Old to Middle English French influence Romance became popular Chivalry, hero-knight, noble deeds, & courtly love Imaginary settings, disguised identity, mystery & suspense * For Example - The Legend of King Arthur

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.

Pilgrimages Pilgrimages were an important part of religious life in the Middle Ages. Many people took journeys to visit holy shrines such the Canterbury Cathedral in England and sites in Jerusalem and Rome.

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

Leading to the End… Pilgrimages to the Holy Land initiated trade between East and West Returning Pilgrims held and attended “Market Fairs” to sell goods they acquired in the East Eventually this led to establishment of permanent Market Towns Merchant “middle class” was born, existing outside of the Feudal System The merchant class became wealthy, and with wealth comes power…

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

Boroughs Arrangements were made for the townspeople to pay a fixed annual sum to the lord or king and gain independence for their town as a "borough" with the power to govern itself. The marketplace became the focus of many towns.

Town Governments As the townspeople became "free" citizens, powerful families struggled to gain control of the communes or boroughs. Town Councils were formed.

The Merchant Class The new merchant class included artisans, masons, armorers, bakers, shoemakers, ropemakers, dyers, and other skilled workers. Merchants to Guilds

Guilds Guilds were established to gain higher wages for their members and protect them from competitors. As the guilds grew rich and powerful, they built guildhalls and began taking an active role in civic affairs, setting up courts to settle disputes and punish wrongdoers.

The First Companies The population of cities swelled for the first time since before the Dark Ages. With the new merchant activity, companies were formed. Merchants hired bookkeepers, scribes, and clerks, creating new jobs.

The Printing Press Printing began in 1450 with the publication of 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.

Fall of Feudalism Attributed to these four things: Magna Carta – 1215 * Rise of Cities Black Death * Hundred Years War

References Adapted from the Annenberg Media/Learner.org website “The Middle Ages” http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/ “Manorialism.” http://www.lordsandladies.org/manorialism.htm