Medieval Society
Have you ever seen a movie where a knight in shining armor saves a princess and they live happily ever after? Well the truth about these topics was actually false or has misleading facts. While movies and fairy tale books glorify the romance and bravery of the knights’ quest to save the princess, reality and historians have found that much of these facts are false. Experts have concluded that these facts from movies and books are just myths. -Kobe
Feudal System
The idea of feudalism in the medieval society was a big change. Feudalism was basically a social and political system based on the idea of granting land in exchange for service and protection. To ensure this protection and land service, an oath of fealty was made. This oath promised protection and loyalty to superiors in return for land. An example of this is a fief, which is a piece of land. This fief was given to a vassal who in return gained loyalty. The vassals and lords were the ones who offer service to someone. In this social hierarchy there were classes of people, such as the monarch, nobilities, knights, and peasants and serfs. In this idea of feudalism each class had their part in contributing to the kingdoms success. The lowest class containing peasants and serfs worked hard in the fields producing much of the kingdom’s food source. Serfs worked twenty-four seven and were not free to leave the land whenever they left like it. The next class, knights were much like modern day army men who were trained and hired by the higher authorities. Such as nobles who are closest in power to the monarch. As a matter of fact the nobles would spend most of their time in the monarch’s castle protecting him and fulfilling any duties he asks. A title like this would be born into or given to by amount of land. Nobles would hire the knights to protect them and in return land was given to them. Lastly, is the monarch, who is given all the power and responsibilities in the kingdom. It is believed that the king or queen’s position is granted by god. They rule because it’s god’s will. If there was no source of organization or feudalism system towns would be chaotic. -Kobe
The idea of feudalism in the medieval society was a big change. Feudalism was basically a social and political system based on the idea of granting land in exchange for service and protection. To ensure this protection and land service, an oath of fealty was made. This oath promised protection and loyalty to superiors in return for land. An example of this is a fief, which is a piece of land. This fief was given to a vassal who in return gained loyalty. The vassals and lords were the ones who offer service to someone. In this social hierarchy there were classes of people, such as the monarch, nobilities, knights, and peasants and serfs. In this idea of feudalism each class had their part in contributing to the kingdoms success. The lowest class containing peasants and serfs worked hard in the fields producing much of the kingdom’s food source. Serfs worked twenty-four seven and were not free to leave the land whenever they left like it. The next class, knights were much like modern day army men who were trained and hired by the higher authorities. Such as nobles who are closest in power to the monarch. As a matter of fact the nobles would spend most of their time in the monarch’s castle protecting him and fulfilling any duties he asks. A title like this would be born into or given to by amount of land. Nobles would hire the knights to protect them and in return land was given to them. Lastly, is the monarch, who is given all the power and responsibilities in the kingdom. It is believed that the king or queen’s position is granted by god. They rule because it’s god’s will. If there was no source of organization or feudalism system towns would be chaotic. -Kobe
Knights
What first comes to mind when you think of medieval knights and warriors? Do you picture King Arthur or Sir Lancelot in shining armor riding their horse to their conquest? Our thoughts of knights have been much mislead in time by romance. Movies have mislead the truth about knights from crowd invoking movies where the peasant who came up from nothing becomes a knight and saves the princess and lives happily ever after. Is this evidence actually true? The answer to that question is no. In these next paragraphs I will try to demonstrate the true complex story of the medieval knights and bust the old.
The road to becoming a knight was long and hard. The first part came when you were about eight years old you were sent to work as a page. This usually meant you were of a knight’s decent or a member of high ranking. During this time there was much training involved, the boy would strengthen his body and learn to ride horses. He even learned how to fight with swords. He trained his fighting skills on a heavy sack called a quintain. Not only did the page learn to ride a horse and fight he also was in the process of becoming literate, and he even learned how to dance!
The second step came when you were in your mid-teens, you were sent to work as a squire. Your job was to be a knight’s servant. You shined his armor, took care of his horses, dressed and made breakfast for the knight. You followed him to tournaments gaining much experience and practiced thing that were learned, such as fighting while wearing the full suit of armor. After a few more years of practice, he became a knight when he proved himself to be the one. Once he showed the lord of his worthiness they agreed on a dubbing ceremony. During this process the future knight would pray the night before and the chaplain would bless the dubbing sword then lay it on the altar. The next morning before dawn the squire would take a bath to show his purity and waited till dawn to be dubbed. The lord took the blessed sword, taped it onto the squire’s shoulders and deemed him a knight.
A big part of being a knight was being loyal and respectful which the knights called the Code of Chivalry. The Code of Chivalry was a code of conduct for all knights. Qualities included honor, bravery, and courtesy towards women. Some of the most stressed rules include not bragging and staying humble, having respect towards everyone especially women, and courageous unto the strong. I believe these set of rules were very important because it gains the knights trust and ensures their loyalty.
When in battle knights would wear chain mail and other suits of armor that sometimes weighed up to about sixty pounds. The knight had his squire keep his armor in tip top shape because the knight had too much to handle on his plate. Underneath the knights armor consisted of a linen shirt, pair of pants, and wool pads. On average a suit of chain mail could have up to two hundred thousand rings. This made it hard to move and made the knight uncomfortable. A bucket like helmet protected his face and metal guard plate protected the other parts of his body such as the chest and legs. Suits of armor were miserable to be in, sometimes knights would also equip their horse in armor. Finally the knight’s source of weaponry, his weapons weighed a whopping thirty pounds. The knight’s sword, ax, and battle hammer was the knight’s main attack and was held at the waist of the knight. Knights were the main source of protection in the kingdom and was a big part of the kingdoms success.
-Kobe
What first comes to mind when you think of medieval knights and warriors? Do you picture King Arthur or Sir Lancelot in shining armor riding their horse to their conquest? Our thoughts of knights have been much mislead in time by romance. Movies have mislead the truth about knights from crowd invoking movies where the peasant who came up from nothing becomes a knight and saves the princess and lives happily ever after. Is this evidence actually true? The answer to that question is no. In these next paragraphs I will try to demonstrate the true complex story of the medieval knights and bust the old.
The road to becoming a knight was long and hard. The first part came when you were about eight years old you were sent to work as a page. This usually meant you were of a knight’s decent or a member of high ranking. During this time there was much training involved, the boy would strengthen his body and learn to ride horses. He even learned how to fight with swords. He trained his fighting skills on a heavy sack called a quintain. Not only did the page learn to ride a horse and fight he also was in the process of becoming literate, and he even learned how to dance!
The second step came when you were in your mid-teens, you were sent to work as a squire. Your job was to be a knight’s servant. You shined his armor, took care of his horses, dressed and made breakfast for the knight. You followed him to tournaments gaining much experience and practiced thing that were learned, such as fighting while wearing the full suit of armor. After a few more years of practice, he became a knight when he proved himself to be the one. Once he showed the lord of his worthiness they agreed on a dubbing ceremony. During this process the future knight would pray the night before and the chaplain would bless the dubbing sword then lay it on the altar. The next morning before dawn the squire would take a bath to show his purity and waited till dawn to be dubbed. The lord took the blessed sword, taped it onto the squire’s shoulders and deemed him a knight.
A big part of being a knight was being loyal and respectful which the knights called the Code of Chivalry. The Code of Chivalry was a code of conduct for all knights. Qualities included honor, bravery, and courtesy towards women. Some of the most stressed rules include not bragging and staying humble, having respect towards everyone especially women, and courageous unto the strong. I believe these set of rules were very important because it gains the knights trust and ensures their loyalty.
When in battle knights would wear chain mail and other suits of armor that sometimes weighed up to about sixty pounds. The knight had his squire keep his armor in tip top shape because the knight had too much to handle on his plate. Underneath the knights armor consisted of a linen shirt, pair of pants, and wool pads. On average a suit of chain mail could have up to two hundred thousand rings. This made it hard to move and made the knight uncomfortable. A bucket like helmet protected his face and metal guard plate protected the other parts of his body such as the chest and legs. Suits of armor were miserable to be in, sometimes knights would also equip their horse in armor. Finally the knight’s source of weaponry, his weapons weighed a whopping thirty pounds. The knight’s sword, ax, and battle hammer was the knight’s main attack and was held at the waist of the knight. Knights were the main source of protection in the kingdom and was a big part of the kingdoms success.
-Kobe
Life in Medieval Towns
Life in medieval towns was harsh and busy. Life in the towns was harsh because of all the diseases and health problems. These health problems came from rainwater. The rainwater would spoil the wells and people would get very sick. Some diseases which include smallpox and leprosy. Did you know that water was not a necessity and ale was?
Towns were always very hectic, frequently having entertainment such as dice and hunting. Although some activities were limited to certain social classes like poetry which was mostly for the aristocratic class and wrestling being more for the average person. If events were meant for everyone when the upper class played it would have been more glorified with the tools meant for the game. Although, events like these with social restrictions would be ignored. Events and activities were usually held at the fair on Sundays where people could also enjoy jugglers, acrobats, and musicians. In an era with no electronics, people relied on the acts to keep them entertained.
Another issue in medieval towns was the living space. Space in this age was hard to come by because it was so limited and small. Population was low as well as making towns more geographically small. In about one square mile there was about 300,000 inhabitants. In this time houses rarely reached two stories. If they got to two stories people would build it so that the houses faced out towards the other homes across the street. The quality of the houses were very poor, sometimes it was warmer and lighter outside that inside the house. Homes owned by the wealthy were more intricate than others. The floor would be paved or even tiled instead of sewn leaves and herbs. An extra layer of fabric was also used for extra warmth. Windows in wealthy homes had glass which stopped the wind from coming inside while peasants had nothing or wooden frames. Most peasants spent their time together and socialized in small court rooms. These rooms were much more simple and delicate than the rich. These rooms were easily destroyed in conclusion life for serfs and peasants was very difficult just trying to stay alive.
I think books and movies have mislead the truth about life in medieval towns. Myths present the idea that there is much space and land for use, which in reality was very limited. Also movies show that food supplies were unlimited but in towns food was scarce and hard to come by. For these reasons I think my myths of life in medieval towns is busted. -Kobe
Life in medieval towns was harsh and busy. Life in the towns was harsh because of all the diseases and health problems. These health problems came from rainwater. The rainwater would spoil the wells and people would get very sick. Some diseases which include smallpox and leprosy. Did you know that water was not a necessity and ale was?
Towns were always very hectic, frequently having entertainment such as dice and hunting. Although some activities were limited to certain social classes like poetry which was mostly for the aristocratic class and wrestling being more for the average person. If events were meant for everyone when the upper class played it would have been more glorified with the tools meant for the game. Although, events like these with social restrictions would be ignored. Events and activities were usually held at the fair on Sundays where people could also enjoy jugglers, acrobats, and musicians. In an era with no electronics, people relied on the acts to keep them entertained.
Another issue in medieval towns was the living space. Space in this age was hard to come by because it was so limited and small. Population was low as well as making towns more geographically small. In about one square mile there was about 300,000 inhabitants. In this time houses rarely reached two stories. If they got to two stories people would build it so that the houses faced out towards the other homes across the street. The quality of the houses were very poor, sometimes it was warmer and lighter outside that inside the house. Homes owned by the wealthy were more intricate than others. The floor would be paved or even tiled instead of sewn leaves and herbs. An extra layer of fabric was also used for extra warmth. Windows in wealthy homes had glass which stopped the wind from coming inside while peasants had nothing or wooden frames. Most peasants spent their time together and socialized in small court rooms. These rooms were much more simple and delicate than the rich. These rooms were easily destroyed in conclusion life for serfs and peasants was very difficult just trying to stay alive.
I think books and movies have mislead the truth about life in medieval towns. Myths present the idea that there is much space and land for use, which in reality was very limited. Also movies show that food supplies were unlimited but in towns food was scarce and hard to come by. For these reasons I think my myths of life in medieval towns is busted. -Kobe
Castles
Castles consists of an outward, moat, apartments, great hall, kitchen, barracks, inner ward, ramp, well, etc. It takes many tools to build a castle, they were mostly made of iron. It didn't require special foundation to build a castle. Castles were built of timber and earth. Mortar was used to bind stones together. It was mortared into horizontal layers called courses. When three or four feet was reached space between two walls was filled with stone and mortar. As the height of the walls increased, a scaffolding was required to support materials and workers. A scaffolding is a temporary wooden framework. Putlogs are small holes in the wall of structures to receive the beams to form scaffolding.
Castles were around as early as the sixth century. They appeared in the Byzantine Empire and Islamic countries.In the ninth century castles were built in western europe. Castle building spread quickly to other areas. Until the twelfth century, when the crusaders returned from fighting Islam, were european castles as equal to the Byzantine and Islamic counterparts both grandeur and size. -Olivia
Castles were located in many different places around medieval Europe. They were normally located on the top of a hill, if there was one available. They were built on hills for a reason, and that reason is so the knights could see attackers approaching easier.mikaela r
Castles consists of an outward, moat, apartments, great hall, kitchen, barracks, inner ward, ramp, well, etc. It takes many tools to build a castle, they were mostly made of iron. It didn't require special foundation to build a castle. Castles were built of timber and earth. Mortar was used to bind stones together. It was mortared into horizontal layers called courses. When three or four feet was reached space between two walls was filled with stone and mortar. As the height of the walls increased, a scaffolding was required to support materials and workers. A scaffolding is a temporary wooden framework. Putlogs are small holes in the wall of structures to receive the beams to form scaffolding.
Castles were around as early as the sixth century. They appeared in the Byzantine Empire and Islamic countries.In the ninth century castles were built in western europe. Castle building spread quickly to other areas. Until the twelfth century, when the crusaders returned from fighting Islam, were european castles as equal to the Byzantine and Islamic counterparts both grandeur and size. -Olivia
Castles were located in many different places around medieval Europe. They were normally located on the top of a hill, if there was one available. They were built on hills for a reason, and that reason is so the knights could see attackers approaching easier.mikaela r
Monarchs
Monarchs means, “supreme ruler of a nation”. Monarchs controlled their whole kingdom. They had lords help them control their land, and knights to protect it. They had serfs harvest and work for them. Monarchs split their land into 4ths, and are the highest ranked in the feudalism system. They came up with the code of conduct and control every person in the ranking system. Monarchs sent lords to help other lords when they needed help.Monarchs were always born into the position of a monarch.
Many people think being a monarch is easy but looks can be deceiving. Monarchs had fears of many things like the concern of treason, and disloyal nobles. Also a worry was that their nobles might overthrow them. One terrifying thought that might also come to their mind is assassination. They couldn't show any weakness because they wouldn't want the people to see their flaws. Monarchs had to make sure they had the love of the people and they needed to know what to do about mass uprisings. Even more important than the people was their relationship with the pope. The popes relationship with them was super important because they had the fear they might get excommunication. As you can see life as a monarch could be very threatening and nerve racking.
Though life as a monarch wasn't always easy there were some ups. Being a Monarch ment more divine rights. The duties of the monarch were to make laws and be head of the government as the legislative. They were also head of the army and had relations with foreign countries as executive. Also the monarchs had the power to collect and raise taxes. Not only that but establish the official religion fro the kingdom. Monarchs had a hard and easy life either way you look at it. -Olivia
Monarchs means, “supreme ruler of a nation”. Monarchs controlled their whole kingdom. They had lords help them control their land, and knights to protect it. They had serfs harvest and work for them. Monarchs split their land into 4ths, and are the highest ranked in the feudalism system. They came up with the code of conduct and control every person in the ranking system. Monarchs sent lords to help other lords when they needed help.Monarchs were always born into the position of a monarch.
Many people think being a monarch is easy but looks can be deceiving. Monarchs had fears of many things like the concern of treason, and disloyal nobles. Also a worry was that their nobles might overthrow them. One terrifying thought that might also come to their mind is assassination. They couldn't show any weakness because they wouldn't want the people to see their flaws. Monarchs had to make sure they had the love of the people and they needed to know what to do about mass uprisings. Even more important than the people was their relationship with the pope. The popes relationship with them was super important because they had the fear they might get excommunication. As you can see life as a monarch could be very threatening and nerve racking.
Though life as a monarch wasn't always easy there were some ups. Being a Monarch ment more divine rights. The duties of the monarch were to make laws and be head of the government as the legislative. They were also head of the army and had relations with foreign countries as executive. Also the monarchs had the power to collect and raise taxes. Not only that but establish the official religion fro the kingdom. Monarchs had a hard and easy life either way you look at it. -Olivia
Serfs and Peasants
The serfs in the medieval times were very hard working people. The serfs harvested and planted many different grains, vegetables, and sometimes fruits. The serfs and peasants worked on a lot of land for their crops. They had rows and rows of food that they gave to the knights and then the knights gave the food to the monarch. This system wasn’t that complicated.But they weren't always the happiest people when all of their produce got taken away.
The serfs and peasants didn’t really have that fashion statement that the lords and ladies or the monarchs did. They wore a blouse of cloth that was tan held up at the waist by a leather belt. They also wore an overcoat made of thick woolen material which was pretty long. The serfs sometimes wore gloves when they would harvest or plant their produce.
Peasant is described as someone who lived in a village who was or less free. Serf is one who lived in the same environment as peasants. The houses that they lives in were very small and had barely any room, for their sometimes big families. Peasants usually owed nothing or a very little bit of money for rent. -Mikaela R.
The serfs in the medieval times were very hard working people. The serfs harvested and planted many different grains, vegetables, and sometimes fruits. The serfs and peasants worked on a lot of land for their crops. They had rows and rows of food that they gave to the knights and then the knights gave the food to the monarch. This system wasn’t that complicated.But they weren't always the happiest people when all of their produce got taken away.
The serfs and peasants didn’t really have that fashion statement that the lords and ladies or the monarchs did. They wore a blouse of cloth that was tan held up at the waist by a leather belt. They also wore an overcoat made of thick woolen material which was pretty long. The serfs sometimes wore gloves when they would harvest or plant their produce.
Peasant is described as someone who lived in a village who was or less free. Serf is one who lived in the same environment as peasants. The houses that they lives in were very small and had barely any room, for their sometimes big families. Peasants usually owed nothing or a very little bit of money for rent. -Mikaela R.
Lords & Ladies
Many times, Lords controlled the land that they were given by their ruler or monarch. The word lord means a person that has authority or control over a person or land. Within the fief, the lord had almost total authority. The kingdom was split into fourths; each land was given to a lord. Then the lord had the responsibility to control or lead that land. To make it efficient, the lords split all their land into eighths. In the feudal system, there are more lords than any other ranked person. Sometimes vassals could become lords by having enough land. On Special occasions, vassals gave lords money. Also, lords get to choose how many crops the serfs or peasants get to give the lords, but it had to be fair enough for the serfs could survive.
Lords ruled over lower classed or lower ranked serfs, peasants, knights, and nobles. Their responsibility was protecting vassals in their time of need or when they are getting attacked. Not only did the monarchs have castles, but the lords had them too. Early lord’s castles were made from wood. Wooden castles were a lot weaker than the castles you see now, but their security was still really protective. Lords also built castles to protect their land from other invaders or lords.
In Medieval Europe, the responsibilities of a lady were to take care of the children and the household. Ladies had no rights and were property of their husbands. Noblewomen were unable to choose their husbands and their fathers had to choose for them. There was no such thing as divorce. A noblewoman was allowed to be married four times. -Armando
- Revised by Kobe
Many times, Lords controlled the land that they were given by their ruler or monarch. The word lord means a person that has authority or control over a person or land. Within the fief, the lord had almost total authority. The kingdom was split into fourths; each land was given to a lord. Then the lord had the responsibility to control or lead that land. To make it efficient, the lords split all their land into eighths. In the feudal system, there are more lords than any other ranked person. Sometimes vassals could become lords by having enough land. On Special occasions, vassals gave lords money. Also, lords get to choose how many crops the serfs or peasants get to give the lords, but it had to be fair enough for the serfs could survive.
Lords ruled over lower classed or lower ranked serfs, peasants, knights, and nobles. Their responsibility was protecting vassals in their time of need or when they are getting attacked. Not only did the monarchs have castles, but the lords had them too. Early lord’s castles were made from wood. Wooden castles were a lot weaker than the castles you see now, but their security was still really protective. Lords also built castles to protect their land from other invaders or lords.
In Medieval Europe, the responsibilities of a lady were to take care of the children and the household. Ladies had no rights and were property of their husbands. Noblewomen were unable to choose their husbands and their fathers had to choose for them. There was no such thing as divorce. A noblewoman was allowed to be married four times. -Armando
- Revised by Kobe
Education
Education was not that common in the medieval Europe society. It was seen by very little people, and the people that did go were mostly boys. If there was a peasant going to school; it would only to be to find a job for a living. Girls were sent to households and taught how to sew and weave, which were the duties that they needed to know how to do for when they became women in their own households. Boys that were sons of the lords were taught proper manners and how to play chess.
The education in classrooms were only available to the upper class children. The boys that were in the schools were seen as higher people than ordinary people like weavers or peasants.The people that taught the young children were mostly always monks, and they would teach in cathedrals. Sometimes, there wasn’t even desks or even seats to sit in. Therefore, the children would sit on the floor with the other kids in their class.
Most of the curriculum the children learned was memorizing. They usually didn’t have books or copies of anything because they didn’t have the method of copying or rewriting it yet. But, the teacher normally had a book in his hand, as he read aloud to the children in front of him in the class. The kids really needed to memorize a lot of things because, they didn’t have blackboards, so everything in the class was oral and/or memorized.-Mikaela R.
Education was not that common in the medieval Europe society. It was seen by very little people, and the people that did go were mostly boys. If there was a peasant going to school; it would only to be to find a job for a living. Girls were sent to households and taught how to sew and weave, which were the duties that they needed to know how to do for when they became women in their own households. Boys that were sons of the lords were taught proper manners and how to play chess.
The education in classrooms were only available to the upper class children. The boys that were in the schools were seen as higher people than ordinary people like weavers or peasants.The people that taught the young children were mostly always monks, and they would teach in cathedrals. Sometimes, there wasn’t even desks or even seats to sit in. Therefore, the children would sit on the floor with the other kids in their class.
Most of the curriculum the children learned was memorizing. They usually didn’t have books or copies of anything because they didn’t have the method of copying or rewriting it yet. But, the teacher normally had a book in his hand, as he read aloud to the children in front of him in the class. The kids really needed to memorize a lot of things because, they didn’t have blackboards, so everything in the class was oral and/or memorized.-Mikaela R.
In conclusion, the society of the middle ages were hectic but in a way organized. For example the towns in the kingdom were very filthy. With all of this filth and waste it made it unsanitary and unsafe to live. People were basically walking into their own filth. Also weather conditions added to the problem; spoiling the water supply and making the roads muddy. But on the other hand, the social hierarchy was very helpful. In this system everyone helped each other so it made getting things done easier. The society of the middle ages is a very special organization that can only be held to its own standards.
-Kobe
-Kobe