Life In The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages was a time period spanning from the 5th to 15th century in Europe. However with the Middle Ages, also known as the Dark Ages, was home to little advancements in science, medicine, and literature. In the Middle Ages there were many different classes in the feudal system: the lowest peasants struggled to stay alive while Knights and lords lived a life of leisure. Peasants were the most hardworking and undervalued class which the whole society depended on. Peasants were worked into the ground by their masters, almost all their waking hours were spent doing manual labor. One shocking fact is that, “In a peasant's’ lifetime they would never travel more than seven miles from their home.” During the summer peasants got up as
Although knight had to work hard they didn't work a lot “Knight only worked forty days out of the year and then the rest of their time was spent doing other activities.” (“Nobility”). A knight's daily life was very eventful. A regular day started at dawn where the knights attended morning mass. After that they began practicing skills with different weapons at quitain and the pell. After training they had a mid-morning prayer and meal. Meals consisted of meat and ale. Chivalry dictated that knight learn dance well to impress their maidens. Groups of knights often discussed war strategy having debates about what tactics to use. Afternoons were most likely spent outdoors, if the weather permitted it, some of their favorite hobbies were horse riding, hawking, and hunting. Evening prayers were accompanied by supper, then they were entertained by music, dancers, jesters, jugglers, and acrobats. Before knights went to bed they always had bedtime prayers (Alchin). The main thing the knights did for the lords was performed in tournaments, where they jousted and dueled. Knights had to pay for their own armor, horses, and weapons (“Nobility”). Tournaments were ultimate test of skill for the knights and the main events was companys of knight engaged in make believe battled insurgents until one was crowned victorious. This was the most prestigious thing the knights did in their
Peasants were the lowest class and were treated as slaves just trying to feed their family. Even though knights gave their military service they lived well off while rising to the occasion if they need to fight. Lords were wealthy landowners that profited on the work of others and lived lavishly. Overall the feudal system was a successful type of government but not a fair