Feudalism Explained:
What was feudalism in medieval times? How was this system set up? The Feudal System is also a political system that exchanges land for service of protection. All were needed to keep the system running smoothly and correctly. The way the system of protection worked was the Monarch honored his vassals with land in which they had to get knights to protect their land and be one of the soldiers in case of attack. The knights would take an oath of fealty saying they have to be loyal and give service to the vassal in exchange for land.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/2/27626773/885992761.jpg)
Monarchs: (written by Cynthia H.)
The Monarch of Medieval Times is the top of the social hierarchy. Monarchs got to live in a castle, but did not necessarily sit on his throne and overlook his kingdom from a far. Kingship was a hard physical work that required strength and endurance. Some may say it is not worth the awarded title of a king. During the middle ages being a king was not all that special. It definitely was not how the fairy tales pictured them. There had been many rulers of the countless, small states which had less of a claim for the title king. Sense there were multiple rulers the golden crown was only reserved for the most powerful and wealthy kings.
Kings can be divided into three different kinds of sorts: the good, the bad, and the ugly. In the past there have been three very good examples of these sorts: Good King Richard the first, Bad King Richard II, and Ugly King Richard III. However, historians have told that were they really what their title had said about them. For example, the Good King Richard the first had a love for battle. He thought fighting was fun. So, what did the people of his kingdom so ever liked about him? Furthermore, these three subtitles for the Monarch, so called King, weren’t always exactly true.
The Monarch of Medieval Times is the top of the social hierarchy. Monarchs got to live in a castle, but did not necessarily sit on his throne and overlook his kingdom from a far. Kingship was a hard physical work that required strength and endurance. Some may say it is not worth the awarded title of a king. During the middle ages being a king was not all that special. It definitely was not how the fairy tales pictured them. There had been many rulers of the countless, small states which had less of a claim for the title king. Sense there were multiple rulers the golden crown was only reserved for the most powerful and wealthy kings.
Kings can be divided into three different kinds of sorts: the good, the bad, and the ugly. In the past there have been three very good examples of these sorts: Good King Richard the first, Bad King Richard II, and Ugly King Richard III. However, historians have told that were they really what their title had said about them. For example, the Good King Richard the first had a love for battle. He thought fighting was fun. So, what did the people of his kingdom so ever liked about him? Furthermore, these three subtitles for the Monarch, so called King, weren’t always exactly true.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/2/27626773/740767350.jpg?258)
Lords and Ladies: (written by Liam H.)
Lords were beneath monarchs in the social hierarchy pyramid. The role of a lord revolved around his oath of fealty. A lord was like a monarch, but he only ruled a part of the monarch's land. He was responsible of making sure that the part of the kingdom that he ruled went smoothly. For example, he was expected to provide his manor with trained soldiers. He was also expected to collect and give the taxes to the monarch. If a lord was not available, the lady would take the role of the lord until he returned. Ladies were most commonly the wife of the lord. They cleaned, washed and did the chores of the house that were necessary. Even though this class of hierarchy was important they were not considered the most important.
Lords were beneath monarchs in the social hierarchy pyramid. The role of a lord revolved around his oath of fealty. A lord was like a monarch, but he only ruled a part of the monarch's land. He was responsible of making sure that the part of the kingdom that he ruled went smoothly. For example, he was expected to provide his manor with trained soldiers. He was also expected to collect and give the taxes to the monarch. If a lord was not available, the lady would take the role of the lord until he returned. Ladies were most commonly the wife of the lord. They cleaned, washed and did the chores of the house that were necessary. Even though this class of hierarchy was important they were not considered the most important.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/2/27626773/167143432.jpg)
Knights: (written by Seth D.)
Knights had a helmet that could go around their neck and they had a padding under their armor when they went to battle or when they got into fights to make sure that they don't get injured. When the knights would do jousting and get hit by their opponent it would protect them from getting seriously hurt. The job of a knight was to protect their king and queen, along with the people of the village. Another duty the knights had was going to battle to gain more land, respect, and money. Also to gain more citizens. When a knight would fall from battle they would have to be buried right where they died. The types of weapons the knights would use were large swords, bow and arrows, maces, and large shields for protection.The social life of a knight was kind of challenging to make friends or even have a girlfriend. This was hard for them because they were always busy serving their kings and queens with hardly any time for themselves. This made socializing hard.
Knights had a helmet that could go around their neck and they had a padding under their armor when they went to battle or when they got into fights to make sure that they don't get injured. When the knights would do jousting and get hit by their opponent it would protect them from getting seriously hurt. The job of a knight was to protect their king and queen, along with the people of the village. Another duty the knights had was going to battle to gain more land, respect, and money. Also to gain more citizens. When a knight would fall from battle they would have to be buried right where they died. The types of weapons the knights would use were large swords, bow and arrows, maces, and large shields for protection.The social life of a knight was kind of challenging to make friends or even have a girlfriend. This was hard for them because they were always busy serving their kings and queens with hardly any time for themselves. This made socializing hard.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/2/27626773/1396561981.jpg)
Serfs: (written by Allie C.)
Serfs in Medieval times were at the bottom of the social hierarchy.During this period of time, most lives were spent as Serfs. They were very self sufficient or self directed people.They were not slaves, but they were not free to leave their land. Wherever Serfs were born is where they had to stay. They could only leave for an important reason and were required to get granted permission from the lord of the manor. It was mandatory that they worked at least three days a week on the farm picking and gathering produce for themselves and the lord of their manor. Only if the lord was nice, he would leave them with food for themselves. Not only was this food, but it was a way of money. With their money the collected they paid rent and could buy items at the marketplace in town. Serfs did not only have to work as a farmer. Some worked in the marketplace as blacksmiths or millers, but that was if there was a mill in the town they were in.
The Serfs did not have the most appealing image or look. Serfs wore clothes made of wool which was worn with a belt around their waste.Under this they wore trousers and big boots on their feet. On the days it rained they would wear a wool hat. An average serfs diet consists of eating onions, leeks, peas, bean, apples, pears, and cherries. They raised livestock` such as chickens, pigs, cows, sheeps, and goats.
Serfs in Medieval times were at the bottom of the social hierarchy.During this period of time, most lives were spent as Serfs. They were very self sufficient or self directed people.They were not slaves, but they were not free to leave their land. Wherever Serfs were born is where they had to stay. They could only leave for an important reason and were required to get granted permission from the lord of the manor. It was mandatory that they worked at least three days a week on the farm picking and gathering produce for themselves and the lord of their manor. Only if the lord was nice, he would leave them with food for themselves. Not only was this food, but it was a way of money. With their money the collected they paid rent and could buy items at the marketplace in town. Serfs did not only have to work as a farmer. Some worked in the marketplace as blacksmiths or millers, but that was if there was a mill in the town they were in.
The Serfs did not have the most appealing image or look. Serfs wore clothes made of wool which was worn with a belt around their waste.Under this they wore trousers and big boots on their feet. On the days it rained they would wear a wool hat. An average serfs diet consists of eating onions, leeks, peas, bean, apples, pears, and cherries. They raised livestock` such as chickens, pigs, cows, sheeps, and goats.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/2/27626773/317705338.jpg)
Life in the Towns: (written by Allie C.)
Medieval towns, not huge, but had different things in them. Each town had a marketplace where serfs could buy goods and other towns could trade goods. The most needed buildings in the town were the church, mill, parsonage,and blacksmith shop. Life in the town wasn’t always boring and run down as our modern day society presents it to be. The Serfs of the town interacted with special activities and events that all were supposed to participate in. These events included fairs, festivals and holidays. These festivals were put on by the church. If two people of the serfs were getting married, it was a mandatory event to attend. The town’s perimeter was fields for harvesting produce. Serfs knew their town like the back of their hand.
Medieval towns, not huge, but had different things in them. Each town had a marketplace where serfs could buy goods and other towns could trade goods. The most needed buildings in the town were the church, mill, parsonage,and blacksmith shop. Life in the town wasn’t always boring and run down as our modern day society presents it to be. The Serfs of the town interacted with special activities and events that all were supposed to participate in. These events included fairs, festivals and holidays. These festivals were put on by the church. If two people of the serfs were getting married, it was a mandatory event to attend. The town’s perimeter was fields for harvesting produce. Serfs knew their town like the back of their hand.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/2/27626773/188468577.jpg?1396562005)
Role of a Women: (written by Cynthia H.)
The role of women played a great part in the Medieval Times. Numerous women from different places like Europe, Asia, Africa, and India made many important efforts and contributions to their society. The women’s role had depended on where they lived, how wealthy their families were, if they were unmarried, married or if their husbands had died. Many young girls, who were barely fifteen, were already married and had been mothers. Women who were great achievers worked as writers, artists, doctors, warriors, and even rulers.
Noble women, called ladies, were usually from a family with great deals of land, power, and wealth. The Ladies were usually married to men with equal power. Ladies lived in castles which were large buildings made of wood or stone, which protected the noble families from times of war. Some say that it is the most important role of a Lady to have a child, especially a boy so he can carry on the husband’s family name and also inherit his lands.
The role of women played a great part in the Medieval Times. Numerous women from different places like Europe, Asia, Africa, and India made many important efforts and contributions to their society. The women’s role had depended on where they lived, how wealthy their families were, if they were unmarried, married or if their husbands had died. Many young girls, who were barely fifteen, were already married and had been mothers. Women who were great achievers worked as writers, artists, doctors, warriors, and even rulers.
Noble women, called ladies, were usually from a family with great deals of land, power, and wealth. The Ladies were usually married to men with equal power. Ladies lived in castles which were large buildings made of wood or stone, which protected the noble families from times of war. Some say that it is the most important role of a Lady to have a child, especially a boy so he can carry on the husband’s family name and also inherit his lands.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/2/27626773/528519177.jpg)
Medieval Castles: (written by Seth D.)
Castles were made for shelter and to protect the king, queen, people in the village, and all of their belongings. They had high walls made of stone or wood. There were watch towers for the archery men to stand guard in. They had draw bridges and mots to keep enemies out from attacking. They had a defense mechanism that would pour hot water onto the enemy's knights. The castle would also have catapults to launch large rocks or even rocks on fire at the enemy. Inside the castle walls there were blacksmiths to make weapons and hardware, markets to sell food, clothing spices,drinks ,and other items people used in their everyday life. Inside the castle they didn’t have much furniture in case of a battle so that it wouldn’t be in their way. There were also secret passages for them to escape the enemy.
Castles were made for shelter and to protect the king, queen, people in the village, and all of their belongings. They had high walls made of stone or wood. There were watch towers for the archery men to stand guard in. They had draw bridges and mots to keep enemies out from attacking. They had a defense mechanism that would pour hot water onto the enemy's knights. The castle would also have catapults to launch large rocks or even rocks on fire at the enemy. Inside the castle walls there were blacksmiths to make weapons and hardware, markets to sell food, clothing spices,drinks ,and other items people used in their everyday life. Inside the castle they didn’t have much furniture in case of a battle so that it wouldn’t be in their way. There were also secret passages for them to escape the enemy.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/6/2/27626773/761490566.jpg)
Laws, crime & common punishment: (written by Liam H)
Crime and punishments was one of the most disturbing and torturous ways in Medieval Times. If someone broke the law, they would be punished by torture. If a man stole he would have his right hand cut off. However, it would be more common for the victim to be tortured to death. Some common ways of torture include being boiled alive in oil, having an eye burned out with a rod, suffocated to near death then cut into quarters, beaten by the townspeople, and drowned. These punishments were a regular way of dealing with outlaws and criminals. They did have court, but they were often biased and opinion based. Even though this was brutal and mean way of punishment, the kings men often did this in public to make the townspeople scared. Therefore, preventing crime with fear.
Crime and punishments was one of the most disturbing and torturous ways in Medieval Times. If someone broke the law, they would be punished by torture. If a man stole he would have his right hand cut off. However, it would be more common for the victim to be tortured to death. Some common ways of torture include being boiled alive in oil, having an eye burned out with a rod, suffocated to near death then cut into quarters, beaten by the townspeople, and drowned. These punishments were a regular way of dealing with outlaws and criminals. They did have court, but they were often biased and opinion based. Even though this was brutal and mean way of punishment, the kings men often did this in public to make the townspeople scared. Therefore, preventing crime with fear.
RESEARCH RESOURCES:
1. "Medieval Lives- The King 8 - 9.mp4 - Google Drive." Medieval Lives- The King 8 - 9.mp4 - Google Drive. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.
2. Nash, Tim. “Crime and Punishment in the Middle Ages.” The Finer Times: War, Crime and History Resource. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2014
3. "Twenty Interesting Things About...Knights." Pioneer Woman Homeschooling Ree Drummond. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.
4."Parts of Castles in the Middle Ages." Parts of Castles in the Middle Ages. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.
5. “Life of a Medieval King” (article that Mrs. Oliveira had shared)
6. Dawson, Imogen. Food and Feast In the Middle Ages. New York: New Discovery, 1994. print
7. Eastwood, Kay. Women and Girls in the Middle Ages. New York, 2004. print
8. Brochard, Philippe. Castles of the Middle Ages. Morristown, New Jersey, 2004. print
1. "Medieval Lives- The King 8 - 9.mp4 - Google Drive." Medieval Lives- The King 8 - 9.mp4 - Google Drive. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.
2. Nash, Tim. “Crime and Punishment in the Middle Ages.” The Finer Times: War, Crime and History Resource. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2014
3. "Twenty Interesting Things About...Knights." Pioneer Woman Homeschooling Ree Drummond. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2014.
4."Parts of Castles in the Middle Ages." Parts of Castles in the Middle Ages. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.
5. “Life of a Medieval King” (article that Mrs. Oliveira had shared)
6. Dawson, Imogen. Food and Feast In the Middle Ages. New York: New Discovery, 1994. print
7. Eastwood, Kay. Women and Girls in the Middle Ages. New York, 2004. print
8. Brochard, Philippe. Castles of the Middle Ages. Morristown, New Jersey, 2004. print