Medieval History and Society

Medieval History is an era spanning from the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, around AD 500, until early modern times, where societies were primarily agrarian and feudalistic. One key aspect of this period was the system known as Feudalism - an economic and social system characterized by loyalty between a lord and his vassals, who fell into two categories: knights and serfs. Knights were warriors with a military obligation to their liege lord while serfs worked the land under a form of slavery called servitude. During this time, castles began to appear across Europe, serving as symbols of power for lords over their lands.

Significant Explorers during the Medieval Period included Vikings who set sail from Scandinavia discovering new lands like Iceland, Greenland, and North America. They also left lasting impacts such as cultural changes, including religious ones, which can still be seen today in some places. In addition, there were also Crusaders, who were individuals participating in major expeditions against Muslim territory in the Middle East seeking to restore Christian control, leading to important changes in political, military, and religious life in Europe.

Family Members played crucial roles throughout medieval society. For instance, Monarchs had strong influence on how kingdoms operated; they could make or break treaties with other monarchs, often creating alliances through marriage between royal families. Additionally, Lords and Ladies took care of their estates using household staff and servants, essentially becoming miniature rulers themselves. Furthermore, soldiers used different tactics based upon what weapons they carried; archers typically fought from afar while heavy cavalry charged forward directly attacking foes. All these familial relationships were part of everyday life for people living in feudal societies.