The Middle Ages:The Middle Ages:Myth and RealityMyth and Reality

The Middle Ages: The MythThe Middle Ages: The Myth We think of knights in We think of knights in

shining armor, lavish shining armor, lavish banquets, wandering banquets, wandering minstrels, kings, queens, minstrels, kings, queens, bishops, monks, pilgrims, bishops, monks, pilgrims, and glorious pageantry. and glorious pageantry.

In film and in literature, In film and in literature, medieval life seems medieval life seems heroic, entertaining, and heroic, entertaining, and romantic. romantic.

The Middle Ages: The RealityThe Middle Ages: The Reality In reality, life in the In reality, life in the

Middle Ages, a period Middle Ages, a period that extended from that extended from approximately the 5approximately the 5thth century to the 15th century to the 15th century in Western century in Western Europe, could also be Europe, could also be harsh, uncertain, and harsh, uncertain, and dangerous. dangerous.

The Lord of the ManorThe Lord of the Manor For safety and For safety and

defense, people in defense, people in the Middle Ages the Middle Ages formed small formed small communities around communities around a central lord or a central lord or master. master.

The ManorThe Manor Most people lived Most people lived

on a manor, which on a manor, which consisted of the consisted of the castle (or manor castle (or manor house), the church, house), the church, the village, and the the village, and the surrounding farm surrounding farm land. land.

Self-SufficiencySelf-Sufficiency Each manor was largely self-Each manor was largely self-

sufficient, growing or producing sufficient, growing or producing all of the basic items needed for all of the basic items needed for food, clothing, and shelter. food, clothing, and shelter.

To meet these needs, the manor To meet these needs, the manor had buildings devoted to special had buildings devoted to special purposes, such as:purposes, such as: The mill for grinding grainThe mill for grinding grain The bake house for making breadThe bake house for making bread The blacksmith shop for creating The blacksmith shop for creating

metal goods. metal goods.

IsolationIsolation These manors were These manors were

isolated, with isolated, with occasional visits occasional visits from peddlers, from peddlers, pilgrims on their way pilgrims on their way to the Crusades, or to the Crusades, or soldiers from other soldiers from other fiefdoms. fiefdoms.

The Feudal SystemThe Feudal System Under the feudal Under the feudal

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

Nobles and VassalsNobles and Vassals Nobles divided their Nobles divided their

land among the lesser land among the lesser nobility, who became nobility, who became their vassals. Many of their vassals. Many of these vassals became so these vassals became so powerful that the kings powerful that the kings had difficulty had difficulty controlling them. controlling them.

Code of ChivalryCode of Chivalry

NotableMonarchsNotableMonarchs Charlemagne- Holy Charlemagne- Holy

Roman EmperorRoman Emperor Eleanor of Eleanor of

Acquitaine-Acquitaine-troubadourstroubadours

Hugh CapetHugh Capet

Normans & Anglo-Normans & Anglo-SaxonsSaxons

Danish Vikings, Danish Vikings, Alfred the GreatAlfred the Great

Norman Conquest, Norman Conquest, WilliamWilliam

Domesday BookDomesday Book

Germany-936 Otto Germany-936 Otto the Great unites the Great unites Germany, Holy Germany, Holy Roman EmperorRoman Emperor

Spain & Portugal- Spain & Portugal- trouble with trouble with Muslims, the MoorsMuslims, the Moors

Reconquista to Reconquista to reclaim for reclaim for ChristiansChristians

The Magna CartaThe Magna Carta In 1215, the English In 1215, the English

barons formed an barons formed an alliance that forced King alliance that forced King John to sign the Magna John to sign the Magna Carta. It limited the Carta. It limited the king's powers of taxation king's powers of taxation and required trials by and required trials by jury. It was the first time jury. It was the first time that an English monarch that an English monarch was subject to the law. was subject to the law.

The PeasantsThe Peasants At the lowest level of At the lowest level of

society were the society were the peasants, also called peasants, also called serfs or villeins. serfs or villeins.

The lord offered his The lord offered his peasants protection in peasants protection in exchange for living and exchange for living and working on his land. working on his land.

MEDIEVAL LIFECooperation and

Mutual Obligations

KING

LORDS (VASSALS TO KING)

KNIGHTS (VASSALS TO LORDS)

Fief and Peasants

Military Aid

Food Protection Shelter

Food Protection Shelter

PEASANTS (SERFS)Pay Rent

Fief and Peasants

Food Protection Shelter

Farm the Land

Homage Military Service

Loyalty

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

Women: Household ChoresWomen: Household Chores Whether they were Whether they were

nobles or peasants, nobles or peasants, women held a difficult women held a difficult position in society.position in society.

They were largely They were largely confined to household confined to household tasks such as cooking, tasks such as cooking, baking bread, sewing, baking bread, sewing, weaving, and spinning. weaving, and spinning.

Hunting & FightingHunting & Fighting However, they also However, they also

hunted for food and hunted for food and fought in battles, fought in battles, learning to use learning to use weapons to defend weapons to defend their homes and their homes and castles. castles.

Other OccupationsOther Occupations Some medieval women Some medieval women

held other occupations. held other occupations. There were women There were women blacksmiths, blacksmiths, merchants, and merchants, and apothecaries. apothecaries.

Midwives, Farmers, & ArtistsMidwives, Farmers, & Artists Others were Others were

midwives, worked in midwives, worked in the fields, or were the fields, or were engaged in creative engaged in creative endeavors such as endeavors such as writing, playing writing, playing musical instruments, musical instruments, dancing, and painting.dancing, and painting.

Witches & NunsWitches & Nuns Some women were Some women were

known as witches, known as witches, capable of sorcery capable of sorcery and healing. Others and healing. Others became nuns and became nuns and devoted their lives devoted their lives to God and spiritual to God and spiritual matters. matters.

The Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church The Catholic Church was The Catholic Church was

the only church in Europe the only church in Europe during the Middle Ages, and during the Middle Ages, and it had its own laws and large it had its own laws and large income. income.

Church leaders such as Church leaders such as bishops and archbishops sat bishops and archbishops sat on the king's council and on the king's council and played leading roles in played leading roles in government. government.

PopesPopes Some Popes had enough authority to summon Some Popes had enough authority to summon

nobles and kings to councilsnobles and kings to councils Leo IX (anti simony-selling offices), Leo IX (anti simony-selling offices),

excommunicates, Patriarch excommuication excommunicates, Patriarch excommuication splits church in twosplits church in two

Launch CrusadesLaunch Crusades Supremacy over Kings (Gregory & Henry IV)Supremacy over Kings (Gregory & Henry IV)

BishopsBishops Bishops, who were often Bishops, who were often

wealthy and came from wealthy and came from noble families, ruled noble families, ruled over groups of parishes over groups of parishes called dioceses.called dioceses.

Parish PriestsParish Priests Parish priests, on the other Parish priests, on the other

hand, came from humbler hand, came from humbler backgrounds and often had backgrounds and often had little education.little education.

The village priest tended The village priest tended to the sick and indigent to the sick and indigent and, if he was able, taught and, if he was able, taught Latin and the Bible to the Latin and the Bible to the youth of the villageyouth of the village

MonasteriesMonasteries Monasteries in the Middle Monasteries in the Middle

Ages were based on the Ages were based on the rules set down by St. rules set down by St. Benedict in the sixth Benedict in the sixth century. The monks became century. The monks became known as Benedictines and known as Benedictines and took vows of poverty, took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to chastity, and obedience to their leaders. their leaders.

MonksMonks Monks were required to Monks were required to

perform manual labor and perform manual labor and were forbidden to own were forbidden to own property, leave the property, leave the monastery, or become monastery, or become entangled in the concerns entangled in the concerns of society. of society.

Daily tasks were often Daily tasks were often carried out in silence. carried out in silence.

NunsNuns Monks and their female Monks and their female

counterparts, nuns, who counterparts, nuns, who lived in convents, lived in convents, provided for the less-provided for the less-fortunate members of fortunate members of the community. the community. Monasteries and Monasteries and nunneries were safe nunneries were safe havens for pilgrims and havens for pilgrims and other travelers. other travelers.

EducationEducation Between prayers, the Between prayers, the

monks read or copied monks read or copied religious texts and religious texts and music. Monks were music. Monks were often well educated often well educated and devoted their and devoted their lives to writing and lives to writing and learning.learning.

PilgrimagesPilgrimages Pilgrimages were an Pilgrimages were an

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

The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales Chaucer's Chaucer's Canterbury Canterbury

TalesTales is a series of is a series of stories told by 30 stories told by 30 pilgrims as they pilgrims as they traveled to traveled to Canterbury.Canterbury.

Religious CrisesReligious Crises Heresy: beliefs that oppose the official Heresy: beliefs that oppose the official

teachings of the Churchteachings of the Church Inquisition to fight heresy, abusesInquisition to fight heresy, abuses Development of additional orders to combat- Development of additional orders to combat-

Francis of Assisi and Dominic of Osma-friars Francis of Assisi and Dominic of Osma-friars live amongst people instead of separatelive amongst people instead of separate

Arguments over who should be pope lead to Arguments over who should be pope lead to Schism- 2 Popes, Rome & AvignonSchism- 2 Popes, Rome & Avignon

HomesHomes Most medieval homes Most medieval homes

were cold, damp, and were cold, damp, and dark. Sometimes it dark. Sometimes it was warmer and was warmer and lighter outside the lighter outside the home than within its home than within its walls.walls.

Peasants HomesPeasants Homes Many peasant Many peasant

families ate, slept, families ate, slept, and spent time and spent time together in very small together in very small quarters, rarely more quarters, rarely more than one or two than one or two rooms. The houses rooms. The houses had thatched roofs had thatched roofs and were easily and were easily destroyed.destroyed.

Homes of the WealthyHomes of the Wealthy The homes of the rich were The homes of the rich were

more elaborate than the more elaborate than the peasants' homes. Their peasants' homes. Their floors were paved, as floors were paved, as opposed to being strewn opposed to being strewn with rushes and herbs, and with rushes and herbs, and sometimes decorated with sometimes decorated with tiles. Tapestries were hung tiles. Tapestries were hung on the walls, providing not on the walls, providing not only decoration but also an only decoration but also an extra layer of warmth. extra layer of warmth.

http://www.schoolsliaison.org.uk/astonhall/changingtimes/themes/homes/rich/mans.htm

The Kitchens of Peasant HomesThe Kitchens of Peasant Homes In simpler homes where In simpler homes where

there were no chimneys, there were no chimneys, the medieval kitchen the medieval kitchen consisted of a stone consisted of a stone hearth in the center of the hearth in the center of the room. This was not only room. This was not only where the cooking took where the cooking took place, but also the source place, but also the source of central heating. of central heating.

The Peasant DietThe Peasant Diet In peasant families, the In peasant families, the

wife did the cooking and wife did the cooking and baking. The peasant diet baking. The peasant diet consisted of breads, consisted of breads, vegetables from their own vegetables from their own gardens, dairy products gardens, dairy products from their own sheep, from their own sheep, goats, and cows, and pork goats, and cows, and pork from their own livestock. from their own livestock.

The Kitchens of Manor HousesThe Kitchens of Manor Houses The kitchens of manor The kitchens of manor

houses and castles had houses and castles had big fireplaces where big fireplaces where meat, even large oxen, meat, even large oxen, could be roasted on could be roasted on spits. These kitchens spits. These kitchens were usually in were usually in separate buildings, to separate buildings, to minimize the threat of minimize the threat of fire. fire.

Clothing of the WealthyClothing of the Wealthy The clothing of the The clothing of the

aristocracy and wealthy aristocracy and wealthy merchants tended to be merchants tended to be elaborate and changed elaborate and changed according to the dictates of according to the dictates of fashion. Towards the end of fashion. Towards the end of the Middle Ages, men of the Middle Ages, men of the wealthy classes sported the wealthy classes sported hose and a jacket, often hose and a jacket, often with pleating or skirting, or with pleating or skirting, or a tunic with a surcoat. a tunic with a surcoat.

WomenWomen’’s Clothings Clothing Women wore flowing Women wore flowing

gowns and elaborate gowns and elaborate headwear, ranging from headwear, ranging from headdresses shaped like headdresses shaped like hearts or butterflies to hearts or butterflies to tall steeple caps and tall steeple caps and Italian turbans. Italian turbans.

Peasant ClothingPeasant Clothing Peasant men wore Peasant men wore

stockings and tunics, while stockings and tunics, while women wore long gowns women wore long gowns with sleeveless tunics and with sleeveless tunics and wimples to cover their hair. wimples to cover their hair. Sheepskin cloaks and Sheepskin cloaks and woolen hats and mittens woolen hats and mittens were worn in winter for were worn in winter for protection from the cold protection from the cold and rain.. and rain..

Health & HygieneHealth & Hygiene As the populations of As the populations of

medieval towns and medieval towns and cities increased, cities increased, hygienic conditions hygienic conditions worsened, leading to a worsened, leading to a vast array of health vast array of health problems. problems.

MedicineMedicine Medical knowledge was Medical knowledge was

limited and, despite the efforts limited and, despite the efforts of medical practitioners and of medical practitioners and public and religious public and religious institutions to institute institutions to institute regulations, medieval Europe regulations, medieval Europe did not have an adequate did not have an adequate health care systemhealth care system

RemediesRemedies Many medieval medical Many medieval medical

manuscripts contained manuscripts contained recipes for remedies recipes for remedies that called for hundreds that called for hundreds of therapeutic of therapeutic substances.substances.

Believed that disease Believed that disease could be the result of could be the result of sinful behavior.sinful behavior.

Blood letting by the Blood letting by the surgeon.surgeon.

Black DeathBlack Death 1347-1351 Sweep the Continent1347-1351 Sweep the Continent Mongol armies first, merchants carryMongol armies first, merchants carry Up to 1/3 population dies in EuropeUp to 1/3 population dies in Europe Effects: 1. role of the Church/GodEffects: 1. role of the Church/God 2.anti-Semitic backlash2.anti-Semitic backlash 3. lower population-ends manorial system, 3. lower population-ends manorial system,

survivor want higher wages, move from landsurvivor want higher wages, move from land

Arts & EntertainmentArts & Entertainment Art and music were critical Art and music were critical

aspects of medieval aspects of medieval religious life and, towards religious life and, towards the end of the Middle Ages, the end of the Middle Ages, secular life as well. Singing secular life as well. Singing without instrumental without instrumental accompaniment was an accompaniment was an essential part of church essential part of church services. Monks and priests services. Monks and priests chanted the divine offices chanted the divine offices and the mass daily. and the mass daily.

DramaDrama Medieval drama grew out Medieval drama grew out

of the liturgy, beginning of the liturgy, beginning in about the eleventh in about the eleventh century. Some of the century. Some of the topics were from the Old Testament and others were stories about the birth and death of Christ.

Town LifeTown Life After 1000, peace and After 1000, peace and

order grew. As a result, order grew. As a result, peasants began to peasants began to expand their farms and expand their farms and villages further into the villages further into the countryside. The earliest countryside. The earliest merchants were peddlers merchants were peddlers who went from village who went from village to village selling their to village selling their goods. goods.

PeddlersPeddlers As the demand for goods As the demand for goods

increased--particularly for the increased--particularly for the gems, silks, and other gems, silks, and other luxuries from Genoa and luxuries from Genoa and Venice, the ports of Italy that Venice, the ports of Italy that traded with the East--the traded with the East--the peddlers became more peddlers became more familiar with complex issues familiar with complex issues of trade, commerce, of trade, commerce, accounting, and contracts. accounting, and contracts.

BusinessmenBusinessmen They became savvy businessmen They became savvy businessmen

and learned to deal with Italian and learned to deal with Italian moneylenders and bankers. The moneylenders and bankers. The English, Belgians, Germans, and English, Belgians, Germans, and Dutch took their coal, timber, Dutch took their coal, timber, wood, iron, copper, and lead to the wood, iron, copper, and lead to the south and came back with luxury south and came back with luxury items such as wine and olive oil. items such as wine and olive oil.

TradesmenTradesmen With the advent of With the advent of

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

BoroughsBoroughs Arrangements were made Arrangements were made

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

GuildsGuilds Guilds were established to Guilds were established to

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

The Merchant ClassThe Merchant Class The new merchant class The new merchant class

included artisans, included artisans, masons, armorers, masons, armorers, bakers, shoemakers, bakers, shoemakers, ropemakers, dyers, and ropemakers, dyers, and other skilled workers. other skilled workers.

MasonsMasons Of all the craftsmen, Of all the craftsmen,

the masons were the the masons were the highest paid and most highest paid and most respected. They were, respected. They were, after all, responsible after all, responsible for building the for building the cathedrals, hospitals, cathedrals, hospitals, universities, castles, universities, castles, and guildhalls. and guildhalls.

ApprenticesApprentices Masons learned their Masons learned their

craft as apprentices craft as apprentices to a master mason, to a master mason, living at lodges for living at lodges for up to seven years. up to seven years. The master mason The master mason was essentially an was essentially an architect, a general architect, a general contractor, and a contractor, and a teacher. teacher.

The First CompaniesThe First Companies The population of cities The population of cities

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

The Printing PressThe Printing Press Printing began in 1450 Printing began in 1450

with the publication of with the publication of the Bible by Johannes the Bible by Johannes Gutenberg. This Gutenberg. This revolutionized the spread revolutionized the spread of learning. Other of learning. Other inventions of the time inventions of the time included mechanical included mechanical clocks, tower mills, and clocks, tower mills, and guns. guns.

LiteratureLiterature Geoffrey Chaucer: The Canterbury TalesGeoffrey Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales Dante Alighieri: The Divine ComedyDante Alighieri: The Divine Comedy Religious texts: Hildegard of Bingen poetReligious texts: Hildegard of Bingen poet Thomas Aquinas: at University of Paris, Thomas Aquinas: at University of Paris,

Scholasticism- Christian teachings also Scholasticism- Christian teachings also knowable and provable through the use of logic knowable and provable through the use of logic and reasonand reason

Epic poems: The Song of Roland-chivalry & Epic poems: The Song of Roland-chivalry & troubadourstroubadours

Visual ArtsVisual Arts Architecture: Gothis style, flying buttress-Architecture: Gothis style, flying buttress-

supports walls from outside raises ceilingssupports walls from outside raises ceilings Stained glass windowsStained glass windows Lavish outside decorationsLavish outside decorations Illuminated textsIlluminated texts TapestryTapestry

UniversitiesUniversities Develop in growing citiesDevelop in growing cities Charlemagne early supporterCharlemagne early supporter Men, studying liberal artsMen, studying liberal arts Not strictly tied to a campusNot strictly tied to a campus

Urban LifeUrban Life Few serfs were left in Europe by Few serfs were left in Europe by

the end of the Middle Ages, and the end of the Middle Ages, and the growing burgher class became the growing burgher class became very powerful. Hard work and very powerful. Hard work and enterprise led to economic enterprise led to economic prosperity and a new social order. prosperity and a new social order. Urban life brought with it a new Urban life brought with it a new freedom for individuals. freedom for individuals. 

WarsWars Crusades- Pope Urban II calls for Christian Crusades- Pope Urban II calls for Christian

nations to put aside their differences to reclaim nations to put aside their differences to reclaim the Holy Land from Turksthe Holy Land from Turks

Nine Crusades-First Crusade reclaims Nine Crusades-First Crusade reclaims JerusalemJerusalem

Third- Saladin v. Richard the LionheartedThird- Saladin v. Richard the Lionhearted Economic Effects: trade, Social Effects: Economic Effects: trade, Social Effects:

knowledge, persecutions,Political Effects: knowledge, persecutions,Political Effects: death of nobles increases power of kingsdeath of nobles increases power of kings

Hundred Years Wars-English/French, Joan of Hundred Years Wars-English/French, Joan of Arc solidifies nationalism in France, military Arc solidifies nationalism in France, military technologytechnology

War of the Roses- battle between York and War of the Roses- battle between York and Lancastrian families for English crownLancastrian families for English crown

ReferencesReferences Adapted from the Annenberg Media/Learner.org website Adapted from the Annenberg Media/Learner.org website ““The Middle AgesThe Middle Ages””http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages/