Medieval Society

1
Medieval Society
2
The Tenth Century

• Breakdown of Charlemagnes empire
• Invasions by Vikings, Arabs, Magyars
• Loss of trade, communications

3
1000 The Turning Point

• Population increase
• 38 to 74 million in 300 years
• More villages, towns, cities, farms
• Reasons
• Increased security
• Agricultural production

4
New Agriculture

• Warmer climate, longer growing season
• Increase in amount of arable land, clearing of
  forests
• Crop rotation 2-field to 3-field
• Technological advance horse collar, windmill

5
The Three Estates

• Clergy Those who pray
• Aristocracy Those who fight
• Peasants Those who work

6
Manorialism

• Manorself-sufficient estate owned by a lord
• Estate features
• Manor house
• Village
• Fields
• Commons
• Forest/waste

7
Peasant Life

• Seasonal labors
• Catholic feast days
• Christmas
• Easter
• Pentecost
• Village church
• Sacraments
• Question of understanding

8
Peasant Life (2)

• Houses
• Wood/wattle or stone
• One- or two-room
• Gender roles
• Men field labor
• Women childcare, spinning, meals
• Diet

9
Feudalism

• Political arrangement of the Middle Ages
• Lord grants a benefice (or fief) to a vassal
• Vassal performs (military) service for the lord
  in return
• Subinfeudationvassal divides his fief and
  distributes it to other vassals, becoming their
  lord
• Decentralized structurelocal control

10
Aristocratic Roles

• Defenders of society
• Wield political power
• Private warfare and castles
• Clergys reforms
• Peace of God
• Truce of God
• Crusades

11
Warriors Training

• Stages
• Page (7)
• Squire (14)
• Knighting (21)
• Code of chivalry
• Tournaments
• Melee
• Joust