Middle Ages Research Project

Abby Lopez 

Encounters 6

Ms. Damante

March 24, 2022

The Disruptive Middle Ages 

Introduction

The Middle Ages was a chaotic time period containing deadly plagues, unfair systems of hierarchy, and distinguished rulers. One of the plagues infamously known as The Black Death. Feudalism was the most commonly used system of hierarchy in The Middle Ages. A famously known ruler during The Middle Ages as King Aurther, ruler of Britain. The Middle Ages resulted in a devastating time period; full of plagues, cruel rulers, and unfair systems of power.

Feudalism

Feudalism was the social structure in the Middle Ages. Feudalism realistically meant the country was divided between individual lords , and  barons, who managed their own estate. Under the Feudal system land would be given to people for their service. It began at the top with the king granting his land to barons all the way down to a peasant getting land to grow crops.

 The top leader in the land was the king, but he couldn't control all of the land by himself so he parted it among the Barons. In return the Barons and Lords pledged  their loyalty and their knights to the king. The Barons and high ranking nobles ruled large areas of land called fiefs.

They all divided up their land among the lords who ran their own local manners, and held entire control over fiefs. In addition, they were the king's own knights who could be called into battle at any second by their Baron. The lords would own all of the land and everything contained in it including peasants, crops and villages. They would control the peasants, so they could use them for their service in return for their safety. 

Most people living in the Middle Ages were peasants. They had a very rough life, and about 90 percent of the people worked as peasants. Peasants would work hard hours, but died young. Most of the population of peasants were found dead before the age of 30. Only some peasants were able to be free and have their own life. Others were more like slaves. They would own nothing and were pledged to their local lord. They often worked long days, 6 days a week, and usually barely had enough food to survive. It was sead that - “ Villages consisted of from 10 - 60 families living in rough huts on dirt floors, with no chimneys or windows.” ( Feudalism… ). Although a serf was not technically a slave, a serf was bound to a lord for the rest of  his/her life. They could not own land or property and needed the permission of a lord to marry. Under no acceptions was a serf to leave the land without a permission of a lord unless he chose to run away. If they managed to run to a town and were able to stay there for a year and a day they would be free.

King Arthur

King Arthur is a well known legendary hero, and outstanding leader who took control over Britain during hard times. The name King Arthur creates up a very specific image, thanks to his amazing appearance in stories, novels, plays, movies, and songs. It is not certain whether some legends about Arthur are true or fake. 

A  quote states that “the only man rightful for the throne would be able to pull a sword from an ancient stone”(Shanna Freeman). So as a result, in some stories, Arthur will pull his sword, Excalibur, effortlessly from the stone. After this, the peasants cheered because of the relief and happiness they finally had a king. Although in other legends it's said he is given Excalibur (the sword) from a strange and mysterious person known as the Lady of the Lake. Merlin(the lady of the lake) was said to  extend her hand to give the sword. Merlin was a wise old magician who was apparently associated with King Arthur before they were told to meet in this legend. 

After Arthur becomes king, he builds a castle stronghold named Camelot. In order to have the potential of fighting the enemy, he recruits the best knights in the country to join him for battle. These knights become the Knights of the Round Table. Although, only some particular knights appear again in the legends including Lancelot, Gawain, Bedevere, and Galahad. Along one of his travels, Arthur meets and marries a beautiful and outstanding young woman named Guinevere. After Arthur and his knights successfully defeat all outsiders, there is a good time of peace and happiness at Camelot. However, Lancelot, Arthur's most trusted knight and companion, falls in love with Queen Guinevere. In some legends or stories, this is what led to the fall of King Arthur as well as Camelot. Which led to a war against Arthur and Lancelot after punishing Guinevere to death.

The Black Death

Coming from the east, The Black Death had reached the coast of Italy in the spring of 1348 releasing many deaths across Europe and was unknown in recorded history. By the time the pandemic was over three years later, somewhere between 25% and 50% of Europe's population had fallen victim to the plague. The total number of deaths coming from this horrible  plague was about 75 million people. It was said that - “The violence of this disease was such that the sick communicated it to the healthy who came near them, just as a fire catches anything dry or oily near it” ( The…). The plague appeared in three different forms. The bubonic ( most common ) is given its name from the swelling or bubbles that appear on a victim of the plague’s neck and armpits. Unfortunately they would die up to a week with this infection. It started with infected fleas that attach themselves to rats and then to humans this led to the spread of this bubonic plague.

This disease grew because of the path of trade and travel; trading ships would arrive at the docks with entire crews dead because of the disease. Previous conditions of war and hunger only made the spread worse of the plague during this time or era. Populations had already gone down by starvation; these were more possible ways of getting infected by the disease. The loss of workers was caused by famine and sickness, so this badly affected the economy which as a result led to poverty and crime.

 Many survivors of the plague had horror stories to tell of life and conditions during the plague years. They would say the air was horrifying with the smell of sick, and dead rotting bodies, but quarantine was created, so infected people were kept out of the city. There were also facilities built to allow travelers to wait 40 days. Although, black rats and fleas could not be put in check by these methods, so the disease kept spreading. 

Conclusion 

The Middle Ages resulted in a devastating time period. The survivors of the plague would still recall the worst times which would be passed on resulting in horror stories shortly after their death years later. Although, this wasn't the only major event. Feudalism would result in deaths because of overworked citizens. Some people would even recall the reign of King Arthur the ruler and founder of Camelot. The Middle Ages is still an important time in history with a large amount of depression, sadness, and greed.

Works Cited 

“Middle Ages Feudal System.” Ducksters. www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages_feudal _system.php  

Accessed 22 February 2023. 

Ross, David. “Feudalism and Medieval Life.” Britain Express. www.britainexpress.com 

/History/Feudalism_and_Medieval_life.htm Accessed 7 February 2023.

“King Arthur, Legendary King of Britain.“ Britannica. www.britannica.com/topic/King-Arthur .Accessed 

30 January 2023.

Freemen, Shanna. “How King Arthur Worked.” Howstuffworks. history.howstuffworks.com/historical- 

figures/king-arthur.htm. Accessed 30 January 2023.

“History of Black Death.” All About History. allabouthistory.org/history-of-black-death.htm. Accessed 31 

January 2023.

“The Black Death, 1348.” EyeWitness to History.com. www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm. 

Accessed 31 January 2023.