The Middle Ages (Medieval Period) 2024 PDF

THE MIDDLE AGES (MEDIEVAL PERIOD) CIRCA 5th Century-15th Century AD  THE FEUDAL SYSTEM Feudalism = Social system Caste system Property system Military system. EVERYTHING UNDER GOD: 1. Kings Nobles (Barons, Bishops, etc...

THE MIDDLE AGES (MEDIEVAL PERIOD) CIRCA 5th Century-15th Century AD  THE FEUDAL SYSTEM Feudalism = Social system Caste system Property system Military system. EVERYTHING UNDER GOD: 1. Kings Nobles (Barons, Bishops, etc.) Knights- who did not own land Villeins = Serfs or peasants- who did not own land  MEDIEVAL LIFE Cooperation and Mutual Obligations KING Fief and Peasants MANORIALISM: FEUDALISM: ECONOMIC SYSTEM POLITICAL SYSTEM Military Aid Loyalty  Agriculture the basis for wealth  Decentralized, local government LORDS (VASSALS TO KING)  Lands divided up into self-sufficient manors  Dependent upon the relationship  Peasants (serfs) worked the land and paid between members of the nobility  Lord and his vassals administered rent In exchange for protection  Barter the usual form of exchange justice and were the highest authority in their land Food Protection Shelter Homage Military Service KNIGHTS (VASSALS TO LORDS) Food Protection Shelter Farm the Pay Land PEASANTS (SERFS) Rent  CASTLES Neuschwanstein Bodiam Castle, Castle, Bavaria England  CASTLES Windsor Castle, Alcazare Castle, England Spain  CASTLES Porchester Castle, Moszna Castle, England Poland  CASTLES Robert Le Diable, Rouen France THE CATHOLIC CHURCH  THE CATHOLIC CHURCH Only Church in Europe during the Middle Ages had its own laws and large income. Church leaders (bishops and archbishops) Sat on the king's council Played leading roles in government.  MONASTERIES Monasteries based on the rules by St. Benedict in the sixth century. Monks became known as Benedictines Took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to their leaders. Monasteries and nunneries were safe havens for pilgrims and other travelers.  KNIGHTHOOD Knighthood grounded in feudal ideal of loyalty. Possessed system of social codes (Chivalry) that they were not permitted to break Primary duty of males of males above Serf class was military service. Boys were trained at an early age to become warriors. After training, the boy was “dubbed” or ceremonially tapped on the shoulder. He was then a knight, had the title of “Sir”, and had full rights of the warrior caste.  CODE OF CHIVALRY The system of ideals and social codes governing the behaviors of knights and gentlewomen. included oaths: of loyalty to the overlord, observing certain rules of warfare courtly love. Courtly love was nonsexual. Chivalry brought about an idealized attitude about women, but did not improve their actual position in life. Chivalry gave rise to a new form of literature- romance.  CODE OF CHIVARLY Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches, and shalt observe all its directions. Thou shalt defend the Church. Thou shalt respect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them. Thou shalt love the country in the which thou wast born. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy. Thou shalt make war against the Infidel without cessation, and without mercy. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God. Thou shalt never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy pledged word. Thou shalt be generous, and give largess to everyone. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.  EVERYDAY LIFE: THE MANOR Lord of the Manor: For safety and defense Small communities gathered around a central lord or master Manor: Castle (or manor house) Church Village Surrounding farm land.  HOUSES AND HOMES Cold, damp, and dark. For security windows were very small Peasant families ate, slept, and spent time together in very small quarters rarely more than one or two rooms. The houses had thatched roofs and were easily destroyed.  PEASANT DIET The peasant diet: Bread, vegetables from gardens, dairy products from sheep, goats, and cows, and pork from livestock. Salted Mean masked by herbs, leftover breads, and vegetables. Cabbages, leeks, and onions became known as "pot-herbs." This pottage was a staple of the peasant diet ALE: Beer was brewed to drink = contained all essential ingredients  RISE OF BUSINESS After 1000 AD Rise of Merchants: Peasants began to expand farms and villages Earliest merchants were peddlers who went from village to village Supply and Demand increased and led to: Rise of currency and money lending Complex issues of trade, commerce, accounting, and contracts. Companies formed (hired book keepers, accountants, scribes and clerks Created “Tradesmen”, “Businessmen” and the “Merchant Class” TRADE ROUTES  THE MERCHANT CLASS Merchant Class Included: Artisans Masons Armorers Bakers Shoemakers Rope makers Dyers other skilled workers. Guilds created: established to gain higher wages protect them from competitors.  UNIVERSITIES UNIVERSITAS MAGISTRORUM et SCHOLARIUM (Community of Scholars) Bologna (1088) Law School Teaching Roman Peoples Law University of Paris (c. 1150) University of Oxford (1167) University of Palencia (1208) University of Cambridge (1209) Originated from Monastic schools Guilds offered “Academic Freedom” freedom of thought/inquiry freedom of passage  END OF MEDEIVAL PERIOD Urban Life: Few serfs in Europe by the end of the Middle Ages growing urban-swelling class became very powerful. Hard work and enterprise led to economic prosperity and a new social order. Urban life brought with it a new freedom for individuals.