The Middle Ages
For safety and for defense, people in the Middle Ages formed small communities around a central lord or master. Most people lived on a manor, which consisted of the castle, the church, the village, and the surrounding farmland. These manors were isolated, with occasional visits from peddlers, pilgrims on their way to the Crusades, or soldiers from other fiefdoms. In this feudal system, the king awarded land grants or fiefs to his most important nobles, his barons, and his bishops, in return for their contribution of soldiers for the king's armies. At the lowest echelon of society were the peasants, also called serfs or villeins. In exchange for living and working on his land, known as the demesne, the lord offered his peasants protection. Nobles divided their land among the lesser nobility, who became their servants or vassals. Many of these vassals became so powerful that the kings had difficulty controlling them. By 1100 A.D., certain barons had castles and courts that rivaled the king's; they could be serious threats if they were not pleased in their dealings with the crown. In 1215 A.D., the English barons formed an alliance that forced King John to sign the Magna Carta. While it gave no rights to ordinary
Sheepskin cloaks and woolen hats and mittens were worn in winter for protection from the cold and rain. Most of the holy orders wore long woolen habits in emulation of Roman clothing. Between prayers, the monks read or copied religious texts and music. Peasant men wore stockings or tunics, while women wore long gowns with sleeveless tunics and wimples to cover their hair. The Poor Clare Sisters, an order of Franciscan nuns, had to petition the Pope in order to be permitted to wear woolen socks. Many treatments were administered by people outside the medical tradition. The new merchant class included artisans, masons, armorers, bakers, shoemakers, rope-makers, dyers, and other skilled workers. When there was a build-up of any one humor, or body fluid, it could be disposed of through sweat, tears, feces, or urine. The organistrum or symphony, later known as a hurdy gurdy was also found in churches. Hard work and enterprise led to economic prosperity and a new social order. However, they also hunted for food and fought in battles, learning to use weapons to defend their homes and castles. Natural functions, such as sneezing, were thought to be the best way of maintaining health. Monasteries and nunneries were safe havens for pilgrims and other travelers. Bishops, who were often wealthy and came from noble families, ruled over groups of parishes called diocese.
Common topics in this essay:
Sisters Franciscan,
Middle Ages,
Germans Dutch,
Magna Carta,
St Benedict,
Canterbury Medieval,
Testament Noah,
Latin Bible,
Middles Ages,
Johannes Gutenberg,
middle ages,
towards middle ages,
devoted lives,
religious life,
towards middle,
divine offices,
women wore,
wore woolen,
fifteenth century,
magna carta,
master mason,
|
Acceptance Essays
