What was it like to live in the Middle Ages?

The 3 languages in the Middle Ages –Clergy Latin chiefly spoken, those who pray –Nobles French chiefly spoken, those who fight –Commoners English spoken, those who work

feudalism Feudalism created ties of obedience and a sense of loyalty between the vassals and their lord. Commoners (peasants) lived on a feudal manor. The lord of the manor gave his vassals (the peasants) land to farm. In return, the vassals received protection. Yet they were taxed and had to give a portion of their crops to the lord. A tenant (vassal) renews his oath of fealty to his lord

Chivalry A product of feudalism, chivalry was an idealized system of manners and morals –Restricted to nobility The Medieval knight was bound to the chivalric code to be loyal to… –God –his lord –his lady Chivalric ideals include... –benevolence –brotherly love –politeness Sir Gawain is an example

The crusades 1095 First Crusade to reclaim Jerusalem from the infidels –Open trade routes –Peasants (the vassals) are liberated from their lords to fight, and die, in the Holy Lands –Cities spring up along the crusade routes –Feudalism dies out –the transition to the Renaissance begins Sadly, with the Crusades, the Church becomes incredibly corrupt. –Popes fight for political power –Greed is rampant selling of indulgences Crusades for $

With the Crusades comes The Black Death spreads along trade routes kills much of the population the plague outbreaks occur through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance Paradoxically, the Plague provides for continued growth in cities –Afterwards, hundreds of new jobs available –Many debts “died off” with creditors also contributed to society’s culture

Late Middle Ages The rise of the merchants Usury Towards the bourgeoisie: The guilds The printing press: William Caxton: Spread of education beyond the monasteries and the church Important Middle Ages technologies Water Wheel Eyeglasses Gunpowder Mechanical Clock

Literature During the Medieval Period

Characteristics of Medieval Literature Prose (French influence): Romance –Le morte d’Arthur –A narrative in prose that tells of the adventures and heroic exploits of chivalric heroes at the court of king Arthur often a supernatural element involved Poetry: A new literature in English: The Canterbury tales verse tales (Chaucer); the ballad Drama (Christian influence): mistery, miracle & morality plays