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SquireSquire SerfSerf Act of HomageAct of Homage SeneschalSeneschal PalisadesPalisades PagePage KeepKeep JoustJoust http://www.learner.org/resources/series58.htmlhttp://www.learner.org/resources/series58.html

FiefsFiefs DubbingDubbing Code of ChivalryCode of Chivalry ClergyClergy NoblesNobles PortcullisPortcullis BailiffBailiff

ChaChapter pter 2424 Medieval Medieval SocietySocietyWordWords, Terms and People to s, Terms and People to KnowKnow

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Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Feudal SocietyFeudal Society: : Life in the Middle AgesLife in the Middle Ages

……Or , why I’m glad I’m not them!Or , why I’m glad I’m not them!

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Things to Consider Things to Consider

““If cats could write history…”If cats could write history…” 66thth thru 14 thru 14thth cen. Princes, monks and cen. Princes, monks and

clerks-- clerks-- commoners rarely written commoners rarely written about.about.

Average town size 40,000Average town size 40,000 In 1300 AD Paris 200,000In 1300 AD Paris 200,000 During the height of Roman Empire During the height of Roman Empire

50% of the population could read and 50% of the population could read and writewrite During the Dark Ages roughly 3% were During the Dark Ages roughly 3% were

literateliterate

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Oh,Oh, to be to be alivealive in in 1100 1100 A.D.A.D. TheThe rich rich were were overfed/pooroverfed/poor were were underfedunderfed

People were People were extraordinarily prone to visionsextraordinarily prone to visions and seeing supernatural phenomena, perhaps due to and seeing supernatural phenomena, perhaps due to hunger hunger

Emotional societiesEmotional societies in which devils and in which devils and saints intervened saints intervened

Irrational societies—peopleIrrational societies—people were at the were at the mercy of mercy of “forces”“forces” totally beyond their control. totally beyond their control.

Time Time ((as measured todayas measured today) was irrelevant) was irrelevant No clocksNo clocks,, no way to measure accurately no way to measure accurately DatesDates—offered complete confusion. Even —offered complete confusion. Even

ChristmasChristmas was celebrated at different times in was celebrated at different times in different places.different places.

The significance of the widespread belief in ghosts, asking who returned, to whom, from where, in what form, and why. Through this vivid study, we can see the ways in which the dead and the living related to each other.This author argues that beliefs and the imaginary depend above all on the structures and functioning of society and culture, and he shows how the Christian culture of the Middle Ages enlarged the notion of ghosts and created many opportunities for the dead to appear. Also points out that the church happily proliferated ghost stories as a way to promote the liturgy of the dead, to develop pious sentiments among parishioners, and to solicit alms on behalf of a relative or friend's salvation.William of Ockham (1280-1349),

Medieval woodcut showing unseen forces effecting human life.

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Youth Youth was a characteristic of most was a characteristic of most societies during the middle agessocieties during the middle ages Average age was 21Average age was 21

Idea of exactnessIdea of exactness was foreign to was foreign to medieval world where everything was medieval world where everything was approximate.approximate.

DiseaseDisease was common place and deadly was common place and deadly Small pox, plagues and Small pox, plagues and leprosyleprosy

• 5% of the population in 125% of the population in 12thth and 13 and 13thth centuries had centuries had leprosy.leprosy.

Between 1340-1370 A.D. Between 1340-1370 A.D. 1/3 of 1/3 of populationpopulation in the west in the west died of plaguesdied of plagues. . In the cities the number was In the cities the number was ½½ of the of the populationpopulation

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The CulpritsThe Culprits

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The Disease The Disease CycleCycleFlea drinks rat blood

that carries the bacteria.

Flea drinks rat blood that carries the

bacteria.

Flea’s gut cloggedwith bacteria.

Flea’s gut cloggedwith bacteria.

Bacteriamultiply inflea’s gut.

Bacteriamultiply inflea’s gut.

Flea bites human and regurgitates blood into human wound.

Flea bites human and regurgitates blood into human wound.

Human is infected!Human is infected!

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The Famine of 1315-The Famine of 1315-13171317

By 1300 Europeans were farming almost all the land they could cultivate.

A population crisis developed. Climate changes in Europe produced

three years of crop failures between 1315-17 because of excessive rain.

As many as 15% of the peasants in some English villages died.

One consequence ofstarvation & povertywas susceptibility todisease.

The book covers the cataclysms suffered by Europe in the 14th century: the Hundre Years' War, the Black Plague, the papal schism, pillaging mercenaries, and popular revolts.

The eruption column of Mount Pinatubo during the 1991 eruption. Mt. Pinatubo Also erupted in 1315. However it is not knownFor certain that this caused the cooling.

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The The SymptomsSymptoms

Bulbous

Septicemic Form:

almost 100% mortality rate.

The disease appeared in three forms:bubonic [infection of the lymph system -- 60% fatal]pneumonic [respiratory infection -- about 100% fatal], andsepticaemic [infection of the blood and probably 100% fatal]

Pneumonic Form -95-100% Fatal

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From the From the Toggenburg BibleToggenburg Bible, , 14111411

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Medieval Art & the Medieval Art & the PlaguePlague

Bring out your dead!

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Attempts to Stop the Attempts to Stop the PlaguePlague

A Doctor’s Robe

“Leeching”

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Attempts to Stop the Attempts to Stop the PlaguePlague

Flagellanti:Self-inflicted “penance” for our

sins!

A Little Macabre A Little Macabre DittyDitty“A sickly season,” the merchant

said,“The town I left was filled with dead,and everywhere these queer red fliescrawled upon the corpses’ eyes,eating them away.”

“Fair make you sick,” the merchant said,“They crawled upon the wine and bread.Pale priests with oil and books,bulging eyes and crazy looks,dropping like the flies.”

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A Little Macabre A Little Macabre Ditty Ditty cont.cont.“I had to laugh,” the merchant

said,“The doctors purged, and dosed, and bled;“And proved through solemn disputation“The cause lay in some constellation.“Then they began to die.”

“First they sneezed,” the merchant said,“And then they turned the brightest red,Begged for water, then fell back.With bulging eyes and face turned black,they waited for the flies.”

A Little Macabre A Little Macabre Ditty Ditty cont.cont.“I came away,” the

merchant said,“You can’t do business with the dead.“So I’ve come here to ply my trade.“You’ll find this to be a fine brocade…”And then he sneezed……….!

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The effects of that plague and its successors on the men and women of medieval Europe were profound: new attitudes toward death, the value of life, and of one's self. It kindled a growth of class conflict, a loss of respect for the Church, and the emergence of a new pietism (personal spirituality) that profoundly altered European attitudes toward religion.

The plague lasted in each area only about a year, but a third of a district's population would die during that period.

Mortality Rate35% - 70%

25,000,000 dead !!!

2020

The Dance of Death (1493) by Michael Wolgemut

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Dance MacabreDance Macabre 1 1 :: a medieval dance or procession in which a medieval dance or procession in which a skeleton representing death leadsa skeleton representing death leads

other skeletons or living persons to the grave -- called also other skeletons or living persons to the grave -- called also dance of dance of deathdeath

In the Middle Ages, death, and its universal In the Middle Ages, death, and its universal embrace, was constantly on peoples’ minds. embrace, was constantly on peoples’ minds. In fact, life was uncertain for the young, the In fact, life was uncertain for the young, the old, and everyone in-between. People alive in old, and everyone in-between. People alive in the Middle Ages were made aware of their the Middle Ages were made aware of their mortality every day by the real possibility of mortality every day by the real possibility of dying from any number of diseases for which dying from any number of diseases for which there were no effective cures there were no effective cures (other diseases);(other diseases); the the difficult quality difficult quality (medieval hygiene)(medieval hygiene) of their lives, or the of their lives, or the violent nature of medieval society. violent nature of medieval society. Consequently, what becomes known as the Consequently, what becomes known as the ‘dance of death’ was an especially ubiquitous ‘dance of death’ was an especially ubiquitous motif in medieval European art and literature.motif in medieval European art and literature.

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This intimate awareness of the presence of This intimate awareness of the presence of death hovering over even the most joyous of death hovering over even the most joyous of occasions translated itself into a visual and occasions translated itself into a visual and literary type known as the “dances of death”, literary type known as the “dances of death”, or the “dance macabre”. Visual or the “dance macabre”. Visual representations of this are to be found on the representations of this are to be found on the outside walls of cloisters, cemeteries, in outside walls of cloisters, cemeteries, in mortuary chapels, ossuaries and even in mortuary chapels, ossuaries and even in churches. These frescoes (paintings made in churches. These frescoes (paintings made in wet plaster) usually include an emaciated wet plaster) usually include an emaciated corpse or a skeleton coupled with a living corpse or a skeleton coupled with a living representative of a certain social class. The representative of a certain social class. The number of characters and the composition of number of characters and the composition of the dance may vary according to time, place the dance may vary according to time, place and purpose of the artist, 24 being a popular and purpose of the artist, 24 being a popular figure.figure.

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The dance of death often takes the form of a The dance of death often takes the form of a farandole. There are words exchanged farandole. There are words exchanged between death and its victims which are between death and its victims which are painted as verses below the corresponding painted as verses below the corresponding pictures. The death speech is threatening , pictures. The death speech is threatening , cynical, or sarcastic while the man cries for cynical, or sarcastic while the man cries for mercy in a last attempt to save his life. mercy in a last attempt to save his life. Everyone gets into the dance: from the whole Everyone gets into the dance: from the whole clerical hierarchy (pope, cardinals, bishops, clerical hierarchy (pope, cardinals, bishops, abbots, canons, priests), to every single abbots, canons, priests), to every single representative of the laic world (emperors, representative of the laic world (emperors, kings, dukes, counts, knights, doctors, kings, dukes, counts, knights, doctors, merchants, usurers, robbers, peasants, and merchants, usurers, robbers, peasants, and even innocent children). Death does not care even innocent children). Death does not care for the social position, nor for the richness, for the social position, nor for the richness, sex, or age of the people it brings into its sex, or age of the people it brings into its dancedance. .

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Death is often represented with a Death is often represented with a musical instrument. Music has musical instrument. Music has always been associated with the always been associated with the various death and life rituals. Music various death and life rituals. Music provides an enchantment, the provides an enchantment, the passage from Earth to the passage from Earth to the unknown. The Sirens were great unknown. The Sirens were great musicians, Orpheus delivered musicians, Orpheus delivered Eurydice from Hades thanks to his Eurydice from Hades thanks to his beautiful songs.beautiful songs.

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Origin:Origin: The dance of death of the InnocentsThe dance of death of the Innocents in Paris, painted in 1424, is considered the in Paris, painted in 1424, is considered the starting point of this pictorial tradition. The starting point of this pictorial tradition. The theme of Death seizing all men from theme of Death seizing all men from emperors to peasants became popular emperors to peasants became popular during all the 15th century and there were during all the 15th century and there were numerous dances of death painted across numerous dances of death painted across Europe. Unfortunately, few have survived the Europe. Unfortunately, few have survived the centuries. There are also traces of theatrical centuries. There are also traces of theatrical plays that were played in the same fashion. plays that were played in the same fashion. Different traditions converge in the origin of Different traditions converge in the origin of these Dances: beliefs, popular legends and these Dances: beliefs, popular legends and pious or scholar sources.pious or scholar sources.

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The dance of death was preceded and The dance of death was preceded and prepared by a literary genre called prepared by a literary genre called Vado Mori Vado Mori (I prepare myself to die)(I prepare myself to die) in in vogue during the 13th century. They vogue during the 13th century. They include short sentences (like haiku) of include short sentences (like haiku) of people from various strolls of life who people from various strolls of life who are going to die. The most popular are going to die. The most popular were the king, the pope, the bishop, were the king, the pope, the bishop, the knight, the physicist, the logician, the knight, the physicist, the logician, the young man, the old man, the rich, the young man, the old man, the rich, the poor and the insane.the poor and the insane.

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Those alive in the middle ages were Those alive in the middle ages were unable to postpone death with medical unable to postpone death with medical technology. They were unable to use the technology. They were unable to use the distractions modern life offers to sublimate distractions modern life offers to sublimate its impact. Consequently, although it may its impact. Consequently, although it may seem morbid to those alive today, people seem morbid to those alive today, people of the Middle Ages had little choice but to of the Middle Ages had little choice but to embrace the thought of death and make embrace the thought of death and make the most of their lives while they were the most of their lives while they were among the living. among the living. The Dance MacabreThe Dance Macabre reflects this understanding. reflects this understanding.

The Holy Trinity, with the Virgin and Saint John and donors is a fresco by the Early Italian Renaissance painter Masaccio. Florence.

Paintings such as this served as models of religious devotion for viewers but, because they are located closer to the sacred figures than the viewers are, they also lay claim to special status. The tomb consists of a sarcophagus on which lies a skeleton. "Carved"

in the wall above the skeleton is an inscription: "I once was what you are and what I am you also will be”. This memento mori underlines that the painting was intended to serve as a lesson to the viewers--since they all would die, only their faith in the Trinity and Christ's sacrifice would allow them to overcome their transitory existences.

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Hey!!! Hey!!! What happened to my What happened to my heliocentric solar system?heliocentric solar system?

The distinction between what makes up matter (the primary elements) and its form became a medieval Christian preoccupation, with the sinfulness of the material world opposed to the holiness of the heavenly realm (which is interesting since modern cosmology is heavily consumed with the issue of dark matter). The medieval Christian cosmology placed the heavens in a realm of perfection, derived from Plato's Theory of Forms

A heliocentric Universe was impossible for the Church to adopt. In the end, medieval cosmology centers on the balance of angelic sphere and the earthy realm. One such cosmology is found in Dante's `The Divine Comedy'

Once again proving the point that the world isn’t what the world actually is—it’s what you think it is (or what others can make you think it is)!

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Cosmology of the Middle AgesCosmology of the Middle AgesAries Avoid incisions in the head and face and cut no vein in the head.

Taurus Avoid incisions in the neck and throat and cut no veins there.

Gemini Avoid incisions in the shoulders, arms or hands and cut no vein.

CancerAvoid incisions in the breasts, sides, stomach and lungs and cut no vein that goes to the spleen.

LeoAvoid incisions of the nerves, lesions of the sides and bones, and do not cut the back either by opening and bleeding.

Virgo Avoid opening a wound in the belly and in the internal parts.

LibraAvoid opening wounds in the umbellicus and parts of the belly and do not open a vein in the back or do cupping.

Scorpio Censored by your teacher!

SagittariusAvoid incisions in the thighs and fingers and do not cut blemishes and growths.

Capricorn Avoid cutting the knees or the veins and sinews in these places.

Aquarius Avoid cutting the knees or the veins and veins in these places.

Pisces Avoid cutting the feet.

Diagnosis was also influenced by astrology. Medical charts informed physicians what not to do for people born under a certain start sign. There were people in the time of the plague (the Black Death) who believed that they had sinned. They believed that the only way to show their true repentance was to inflict pain on themselves. These were the so-called flaggellants who whipped themselves to show their love of God and their true sorry at being a sinner. Diagnose and treat a medieval patient yourself!

Italian researchers believe they have found the remains of a female "vampire" from 16th-century Venice, buried with a brick in her mouth to prevent her from feasting on plague victims. Matteo Borrini, a forensic anthropologist from the University of Florence, said the discovery was the first confirmation of a Medieval belief that vampires were behind the spread of epidemics, such as the Black Death.

Read more: "Archeological wonders" - ww.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/galleries/archeological_wonders/archeological_wonders.html#ph3#ixzz0G3HM0mhttp://wRX&A

Yikes! The Things People Believe!

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Death Triumphant !:Death Triumphant !:A Major Artistic A Major Artistic

ThemeTheme

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Three Classes of PeopleThree Classes of People

In relationship and theory, the feudal In relationship and theory, the feudal system was system was simple—but simple—but relationships relationships were not clear-cut.were not clear-cut.

1. Those Who fought—”Bellatores”1. Those Who fought—”Bellatores” Those who prayed—”Oratores”Those who prayed—”Oratores” Those who worked—peasants “Laborares”Those who worked—peasants “Laborares”

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CHAPTER 24CHAPTER 24FEUDAL SOCIETYFEUDAL SOCIETY 700 A.D.-1200 A.D.700 A.D.-1200 A.D.

Feudalism andTransitions

3. Describe the conditions that gave rise to feudalism, as well as political, economic and social characteristics of feudalism, in Asia and Europe.

4. Explain the lasting effects of military conquests during the

Middle Ages including:a. Muslim conquests;b. The Crusades;c. The Mongol invasions.

Bamburgh Castle

Dramatically situated on a crag jutting out over the North Sea, Bamburgh is one of Britain's most photogenic castles. Henry II built a massive keep on the site of what had been the capital of the Anglian kingdom of Bernicia in the 7th century. The main highlight indoors is a superb collection of 17th

century arms and armour from the Tower of London.

Section One:Section One: describes the describes the origins of feudalismorigins of feudalism

Terms to Learn: Terms to Learn: FiefsFiefs Terms to Learn: Terms to Learn: VassalVassal Terms to Learn: Terms to Learn: Act of HomageAct of Homage Terms to Learn: KnightTerms to Learn: Knight Terms to Learn: FeudalismTerms to Learn: Feudalism Term to Learn: CatholicismTerm to Learn: Catholicism

I. Land and GovernmentI. Land and Government A. power based on ownership of landA. power based on ownership of land B. Charles Martel gives fiefs to his soldiers B. Charles Martel gives fiefs to his soldiers

as reward for serviceas reward for service C. After 800, the kings of Europe followed C. After 800, the kings of Europe followed

Martel’sMartel’s example establishing ties of loyalty example establishing ties of loyalty among the noblesamong the nobles 1. land tied to1. land tied to military service which was the military service which was the

most important duty of a feudal vassalmost important duty of a feudal vassal

FeudalismFeudalismFeudalismFeudalism

A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty and military service.

In theory the feudal system of vassalage would seem to be clear-cut. However, due to overlapping vassalage claims-- and time-- the system became very complicated and often produced strange alliances and

betrayals. The movie Braveheart recounts the history (sort of, the film is filled with inaccuracies) of Scotland’s William Wallace (1272-1305) and how he was betrayed by Scottish lords who also owned lands in England and therefore had allegiances to the English king.

(Read Feudalism and Medieval Life-- Word Document)(Read Feudalism and Medieval Life-- Word Document)

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I. Cont.I. Cont. D. The Rise of Feudal TerritoriesD. The Rise of Feudal Territories

• 1. after 814 Europe had no central government1. after 814 Europe had no central government• 2. nobles become more powerful than the king 2. nobles become more powerful than the king

becoming independent rulersbecoming independent rulers (a.) many nobles maintain their own army and coin (a.) many nobles maintain their own army and coin

their own moneytheir own money

• 3. around 900 nobles protect their lands from 3. around 900 nobles protect their lands from VikingsVikings

(a.) peasants work for their noble in exchange for (a.) peasants work for their noble in exchange for protection.protection.

(b.) Peasants lose their land and their freedom(b.) Peasants lose their land and their freedom (c.) 1000 western Europe divided into thousands of (c.) 1000 western Europe divided into thousands of

small territoriessmall territories (d.) noble who owned land had political and military (d.) noble who owned land had political and military

powerpower (e.) peasants (e.) peasants had had no sayno say in government in government (f.) (f.) church and noblechurch and noble dominated society with little dominated society with little

to no societal mobility for the lower classesto no societal mobility for the lower classes

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I. Cont.I. Cont. E. Lord an VassalE. Lord an Vassal

1. Vassal was a noble who served a lord 1. Vassal was a noble who served a lord of higher rank and gave him loyaltyof higher rank and gave him loyaltyact of homage—vassal promised to serve act of homage—vassal promised to serve in battle, in battle, lord gave vassal a fieflord gave vassal a fief

(a.) a glove, a stick or stone was the sign a lord’s (a.) a glove, a stick or stone was the sign a lord’s word could be trustedword could be trusted

(b.) failure to provide protection negated need for (b.) failure to provide protection negated need for loyaltyloyalty

(c.) vassals required to bring knights to battle with (c.) vassals required to bring knights to battle with them and take part in military service 40-60 days a them and take part in military service 40-60 days a year.year.

(d.) Vassals required to ransom lord if captured in (d.) Vassals required to ransom lord if captured in battlebattle• 1. failure to pay 1. failure to pay homagehomage would cause the lord would cause the lord

to pull the vassal’s fiefto pull the vassal’s fief

Single plates of metal armour were again used from the late 13th century on, to protect joints and shins, and these were worn over a full mail haubergeon. By the end of the 14th century, larger and complete full plates of armour had been developed. Full plate armor was expensive to produce and remained therefore restricted to the upper strata of society; lavishly decorated suits of armour remained the fashion with 18th century nobles and generals long after they had ceased to be militarily useful on the battlefield due to the advent of powerful muskets.

The Oath and the Form of Homage : "I become your liege man of life and limb and truth and earthly honors, bearing to you against all men that love, move or die, so help me God and the Holy Dame. "

Section Two:Section Two: discusses the discusses the feudal social hierarchyfeudal social hierarchy

Terms to Learn: CastlesTerms to Learn: Castles Terms to Learn: Terms to Learn: KeepKeep Terms to learn: LadiesTerms to learn: Ladies Terms to Learn: Terms to Learn: ClergyClergy

II. The NobilityII. The Nobility A. 800-1000 lived inA. 800-1000 lived in wooden houses wooden houses

surrounded by palisadessurrounded by palisades B. The CastleB. The Castle

• (1.) 1100 nobles living in stone castles(1.) 1100 nobles living in stone castles• (2.) the keep was located in the middle and could be (2.) the keep was located in the middle and could be

defended even if the rest of the castle fell and was the defended even if the rest of the castle fell and was the noble’s household quartersnoble’s household quarters

• (3.) servants and officials were responsible for (3.) servants and officials were responsible for castle’s care and defensecastle’s care and defense

• (4.) castle’s could hold out for as long as 6 months(4.) castle’s could hold out for as long as 6 months C. Castle LifeC. Castle Life

• (1.) nobles hunted, fished and held court(1.) nobles hunted, fished and held court• (2.) wandering minstrels came to entertain(2.) wandering minstrels came to entertain

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Be careful who you give Be careful who you give a castle to—they’re a castle to—they’re

hard to take!hard to take!

II. ContinuedII. Continued

• 3. noblewomen, once married 3. noblewomen, once married were under the authority of their were under the authority of their husbandshusbands

• 4. dowry very important4. dowry very important• 5. most women 5. most women married by 12-13 married by 12-13

(if not by 21 usually never married)(if not by 21 usually never married)• 6. expected to train young girls in 6. expected to train young girls in

household duties and run the household duties and run the castle household and care for the castle household and care for the poor and sick.poor and sick.

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122 – 1 April 1204) was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in Western Europe during the High Middle Ages. One of her many children was son, Richard the Lionheart.

Section Three: describes the Section Three: describes the duties of feudal knightsduties of feudal knights

Terms to Learn:Terms to Learn: PagePage Terms to Learn:Terms to Learn: Code of ChivalryCode of Chivalry Terms to Learn:Terms to Learn: SquireSquire Terms to Learn: DubbingTerms to Learn: Dubbing Terms to Learn: TournamentsTerms to Learn: Tournaments Terms to Learn: JoustTerms to Learn: Joust

III. KnighthoodIII. Knighthood A. must follow the code of chivalryA. must follow the code of chivalry B. TrainingB. Training

• 1. training begins at 7 when he learns to be a page1. training begins at 7 when he learns to be a page• 2. at 14 could handle a lance and sword while on horseback2. at 14 could handle a lance and sword while on horseback• 3. at 15 becomes a squire3. at 15 becomes a squire

(a.) expected to rescue the knight if wounded of falls off horse(a.) expected to rescue the knight if wounded of falls off horse (b.) squires become knights in a ceremony known as dubbing(b.) squires become knights in a ceremony known as dubbing

C. TournamentsC. Tournaments• 1. special contests to 1. special contests to traintrain for warfor war• http://www.chronique.com/histour.htm (everything you could http://www.chronique.com/histour.htm (everything you could

possible want to know about medieval tournaments)possible want to know about medieval tournaments)• 2. jousts2. jousts

A Squire's Training 

And as lordes sonnes bene sette, at four yere age, To scole to lerne the doctryne of letture,

And after at sex to have thaym in language, And sitte at mete semely in all nurture;

At ten and twelve to revelle in thair cure, To daunse and synge, and speke of gentelnesse;

At fourtene yere they shalle to felde I sure, At hunte the dere, and catch an hardynesse.

For dere to hunte and slea, and se them blede, Ane hardyment gyfffith to his corage, And also in his wytte to takyth hede

Ymagyninge to take thaym at avauntage. At sextene yere to werray and to wage,

To juste and ryde, and castels to assayle, To scarmyse als, and make sykur courage, And sette his wache for perile nocturnayle;

And every day his armure to assay In fete of armes with some of his meyne,

His might to preve, and what that he do may Iff that we were in such a jupertee Of werre by falle, that by necessite

He might algates with wapyns hym defende: Thus should he lerne in his priorite

His wapyns alle in armes to dispende.

The text for this poem is found on p. 17 THE BLACK PRINCE, R.P. Dunn-Pattison, 1910.

The Statutes of Arms were concerned with checking the excesses of mass tournaments that often ended in the pillage, rape, and slaughter of local villagers and townspeople (See: Noël Denholm-Young, "The Tournament in the Thirteenth-Century," in Studies in Medieval History Presented to Frederick Maurice Powicke, pp. 260-261, 264).

Here begin the Statutes of Arms.

“At the request of the Earls and Barons and of the Chivalry of England, it is ordained and by our Lord the King commanded, that from henceforth none be so hardy, whether Earl, Baron, or other Knight, who shall go to the Tournament, to have more than three Esquires in Arms to serve him at the Tournament; and that every Esquire do bear a Cap of the Arms of his Lord, whom he shall serve that day, for Ensign.

And no Knight or Esquire serving at the Tournament, shall bear a sword pointed, or Dagger pointed, or Staff or Mace, but only a broad sword for tourneying. And all that bear Banners shall be armed with Mufflers and Cuishes, and Shoulder-Plates, and a Skull-cap, without more.

And if it happen that any Earl or Baron or other knight, do go against this statute, that such knight, by assent of all the Baronage, shall lose Horse and Harness, and abide in prison at the pleasure of our Lord Sir Edward the King's son, and Sir Edmund his brother, and the Earl of Gloucester, and the Earl of Lincoln. And the Esquire who shall be found offending against the statute here devised, in any point, shall lose Horse and Harness, and be imprisoned three years. And if any man shall cast a knight to the ground, except they who are armed for their Lord's service, the knight shall have his horse, and the offender shall be punished as the Esquires aforesaid.”

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Section Four: explains the lifestyles of Section Four: explains the lifestyles of the people in feudal society and the the people in feudal society and the

organization of the manorsorganization of the manors Terms to Learn: ManorTerms to Learn: Manor Terms to Learn: Terms to Learn: SeneschalSeneschal Terms to Learn: BailiffTerms to Learn: Bailiff Terms to Learn: FreemanTerms to Learn: Freeman

IV. The ManorIV. The Manor

The 14th century great hall at Penshurst Place Kent, mid 14th century, showing the screens passage. The Great Hall was of central importance to every manor, being the place where the lord expressed his position of dominance

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The ManorThe Manor

Manors usually had Manors usually had four partsfour parts to to them: them: arable landarable land, , meadow landmeadow land, , waste landwaste land, and the , and the villagevillage. Each . Each part had a specific purpose and part had a specific purpose and none could be dispensed with if the none could be dispensed with if the manor was to survive.manor was to survive.

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The arable land was utilized by the three-The arable land was utilized by the three-field rotation system which prevailed in most field rotation system which prevailed in most of Europe. This meant that one third of the of Europe. This meant that one third of the arable land always remained fallow in order arable land always remained fallow in order not to exhaust the soil. There was plowing not to exhaust the soil. There was plowing the year round, except when the ground was the year round, except when the ground was frozen or at harvest time. This made frozen or at harvest time. This made maximum use of the most important tool the maximum use of the most important tool the serfs had, the moldboard plow. The value of serfs had, the moldboard plow. The value of a manor was determined for the most part by a manor was determined for the most part by the number of plows and teams of oxen it the number of plows and teams of oxen it possessed. possessed.

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Each individual peasant strip was Each individual peasant strip was about one acre in size. It took about one acre in size. It took about one day to plow a single about one day to plow a single strip. Crops and peasant field strip. Crops and peasant field assignment were scattered in 3 assignment were scattered in 3 fields throughout the manor. fields throughout the manor. Plowing and planting was fixed by Plowing and planting was fixed by custom. There was also uniform custom. There was also uniform cropping. Thus no innovation was cropping. Thus no innovation was possible. It kept things the way possible. It kept things the way they were for almost one they were for almost one thousand years.thousand years.

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Meadow land was as important as Meadow land was as important as arable land. It was necessary to arable land. It was necessary to feed the draught animals. The feed the draught animals. The idea of sowing and harvesting hay idea of sowing and harvesting hay to feed the animals had not yet to feed the animals had not yet occurred to them. There was thus occurred to them. There was thus a chronic shortage of winter a chronic shortage of winter fodder. This meant that there was fodder. This meant that there was a constant danger of losing the a constant danger of losing the cattle and sheep. It was never cattle and sheep. It was never successfully overcome.successfully overcome.

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The waste land was used for summer pasture for The waste land was used for summer pasture for animals of the whole manor, watched by children or animals of the whole manor, watched by children or lowly attendants. So-called wasteland also provided lowly attendants. So-called wasteland also provided wood for fuel and building materials for peasant huts. wood for fuel and building materials for peasant huts. In addition it provided an important part of the food In addition it provided an important part of the food supply: nuts, berries, honey, rabbits. So, it should be supply: nuts, berries, honey, rabbits. So, it should be obvious that the manors were relatively small obvious that the manors were relatively small clearings among large stretches of clearings among large stretches of forestforest (forest laws)(forest laws) and and wastelands. The vast expanse of the fertile European wastelands. The vast expanse of the fertile European plain was never fully exploited and helps to account plain was never fully exploited and helps to account for the backwardness of medieval economic life. Most for the backwardness of medieval economic life. Most of central and northern Europe was blanketed with a of central and northern Europe was blanketed with a vast forest of tall trees or unhealthy swamps.vast forest of tall trees or unhealthy swamps.

Most English forests were owned by the king. The monarch’s workers managed the forest and were expected to keep poachers away. The penalties for trespass could be severe. Even the ‘underwood’, the fallen branches, grass and fruits which grew at ground level was protected.

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The village itself was usually located in the center The village itself was usually located in the center of the arable land, somewhere near the most of the arable land, somewhere near the most convenient water supply: rivers, natural lakes or convenient water supply: rivers, natural lakes or drained swamps. Although it should be drained swamps. Although it should be remembered that there was precious little draining remembered that there was precious little draining of swamps until well into modern times. The of swamps until well into modern times. The cottages where the cottages where the serfs lived serfs lived were made of mud were made of mud brick reinforced with straw and had earthen floors brick reinforced with straw and had earthen floors and thatched roof. Usually they consisted of single and thatched roof. Usually they consisted of single rooms not very large in floor space or height. There rooms not very large in floor space or height. There were usually small adjoining gardens where some were usually small adjoining gardens where some vegetables and fruits were grown. Little time and vegetables and fruits were grown. Little time and ground was wasted on flowers or decorative ground was wasted on flowers or decorative shrubs. Chickens, dogs, and ducks maintained a shrubs. Chickens, dogs, and ducks maintained a precarious existence in the streets.precarious existence in the streets.

What a cruck house may have looked like - minus the wattle and daub

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IV. ContinuedIV. Continued A. Daily LifeA. Daily Life

11. seneschal. seneschal looked after the noble’s fiefs looked after the noble’s fiefs 2. 2. bailiff bailiff made sure the peasants worked hard in the fieldsmade sure the peasants worked hard in the fields 3. manors were self sufficient 3. manors were self sufficient

B. Freemen and SerfsB. Freemen and Serfs 1. Freeman—peasant who paid the noble for the right to farm 1. Freeman—peasant who paid the noble for the right to farm

landland• (a.) worked their own land and had rights under the law—noble (a.) worked their own land and had rights under the law—noble

had right to throw off land without warninghad right to throw off land without warning • (b.) (b.) serfsserfs—were a noble’s property—were a noble’s property

(1.) could not move to another area and could not own land(1.) could not move to another area and could not own land (2.) could not marry without the noble’s permission(2.) could not marry without the noble’s permission (3.) could not be driven off land and did not have to serve in military(3.) could not be driven off land and did not have to serve in military (4.) a serf who ran away to a city and was not caught for a year gained (4.) a serf who ran away to a city and was not caught for a year gained

his freedomhis freedom (5.) (5.) Toward the end of the Middle Ages, farming became more Toward the end of the Middle Ages, farming became more

productive because of heavy iron plowsproductive because of heavy iron plows coming into use and other coming into use and other innovations like the three field system of rotation.innovations like the three field system of rotation.

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Essay QuestionsEssay Questions The feudal system was based upon the often The feudal system was based upon the often

times complex lord vassal relationship. What times complex lord vassal relationship. What were the advantages of being a vassal rather were the advantages of being a vassal rather than a lord? What were the disadvantages of than a lord? What were the disadvantages of being a lord’s vassal?being a lord’s vassal?

Explain how medieval tournaments were similar Explain how medieval tournaments were similar to the Olympic games in Ancient Greece? How to the Olympic games in Ancient Greece? How were they different?were they different?

Why do you think the lives of noblewomen were Why do you think the lives of noblewomen were so restricted? What advantages and so restricted? What advantages and disadvantages did their limited roles have for the disadvantages did their limited roles have for the society?society?