Middle Ages Research Project

Ashley Aguilar

Encounters 6

Ms. Damante

April 8, 2022

The Dazzling Middle Ages

Introduction

Living in the Middle Ages was rough. They were separated based on a government system. This system was called the feudal system. Not only were people treated differently but their clothes were different too. The clothing in the Middle Ages is very different from today, so were the hairstyles. The hairstyles were put in unique arrangements with colorful accessories.

Feudalism

The government system used in the Middle Ages is called the feudal system. This meant that the country was not ruled by one person but was in command of many individual people(Ross).The head leader was the king, he couldn't rule all of the land himself so he split it up among the Barons, in exchange the Barons pledged their loyalty and their soldiers to him. When the king died his firstborn son would take over the throne(Middle).“Middle Ages Feudal System” stated, “When one family stayed in power for a long time, this was called a dynasty. ”(Middle). Next was the Bishop, according to the “Middle Ages Feudal System”, “The Bishop was the top church leader in the kingdom and managed an area called a diocese.”(Middle). The Catholic Church was very dominant in the Middle Ages. Because of this, this made the Bishop powerful as well. The Bishop´s were also very rich, because the churches got 10% of everyone´s money(Middle). The Barons and grand Nobles controlled large areas of land, this is called fiefs. They reported directly to the king and were very dominant. “Middle Ages Feudal System” stated, “They divided up their land among Lords who ran individual manors. Their job was to maintain an army that was at the king's service. ”(Middle). The lords ruled the local manors. They owned everything in their land. The knights could be called to battle and any moment by their Baron. An estimated 90% of the people who worked on the land worked as peasants. Most of the peasants worked really hard and died really young. Some were lucky enough to make it to 30 years old.(Middle)

Clothes

In the early Middle Ages men and womens clothing was very similar. Both wore many layers of clothing and both were very colorful(Clothes). The exterior layers of the clothing were loose so you could move, while the interior layers were meant to keep you warm.This includes fitted leggings and vests(Clothes). According to “Clothes”, “On top of all these clothes, people used to wear cloaks and tunics,to protect from cold weather.”(Clothes). In the middle ages dresses were two different pieces of cloth instead of being one full dress like today. Poorer people made their own clothes so their clothes were less complex(Clothes).“Clothing of the time” stated, “Elizabethan women wanted their clothing to look much like the men's with broad shoulders, wide hips, and slim waists.”(Clothing). Since both women and men had very colorful clothing, men wanted to look more manly so their clothing looked like it was in the shape of armor(Clothing). In the Middle Ages the clothing was not all attached together. For example when you see a shirt today all of the pieces of cloth are together but, back then sometimes the sleeves weren't even connected to the shirt. Townspeople would make their clothes look like the rich people's clothing but would use cheaper fabric(Clothing). In the Middle Ages, cloaks and gowns were very similar except a cloak looked like a cape and a gown looked like a cloak but it was closed at the front and the sleeves were suited for the arms(Clothing). A part of the clothing was called a doublet it covered the back, chest, and shoulders(Clothing). The doublet was usually stuffed with horsehair, wool, and rags so it could maintain its shape(Clothing). The doublet was attached to the sleeves and they were laced together(Clothing).

Hairstyles

Hairstyles in the Middle Ages were very formal with excellent head-wear with a large variety of styles(Medieval). Some of the popular styles for the upper classes were braids and buns. People’s Hairstyles in the Middle Ages were very formal with excellent head-wear with a large variety of styles(Medieval). Some of the popular styles for the upper classes were braids and buns. Up-dos were very popular for women in the Middle Ages(Medieval). People would accessorize their hairstyles by using metallic wires and ribbons(Medieval). According to “Medieval Hairstyles”, “ Sometimes, bands of flowers and leaves were used along with silk ribbons.”(Medieval). Germanic people thought their hairstyles were very important because they considered it a symbol of power and authority(Medieval). Men’s hairstyles didn’t have as much variety for hairstyles as women did(Medieval). A common male hairstyle was to have short hair and comb it to the front with no part(Medieval). For male peasants their hair was often shaved. For young girls it was mostly common for them to have two braids with a middle part(Medieval). “Medieval Hairstyles” stated, “Another popular medieval children hairstyle which was more common among the working classes consisted of two plaits brought from the nape of the neck which were then crossed over the top of the head and tied together.”(Medieval). In the Middle Ages headwear was very important to both men and women.“Medieval Hairstyles” “Thus most popular medieval hairstyles had some sort of head-wear associated with them.”(Medieval). One hairstyle covered the head with a headband called a Fillet. In the early Middle Ages men preferred long flowy hair but this was later declined in the late medieval times(Medieval). The covering of the head of a woman became popular because the church began to influence it in the Middle Ages(Medieval). Some of the most popular hairstyles are still used today because of paintings, writings, and portraits(Medieval).

Conclusion

There was a list of things that made the Middle Ages a dark time for everyone, one of those things being the feudal system. On the bright side they got to get creative with their colorful clothing and unique hairstyles. It’s amazing how much things have changed between the Middle Ages and now.

Works Cited

"Clothes." Mystery in the Middle Ages. www.xtec.cat/monografics/cirel/02/middle_ages/alumne

/scene1/p unt2/index.htm. Accessed 07 February 2022.

"Clothing of the Time." Teacher Created Materials 1994 PDF. drive.google.com/file/d/1Iq3

hMOC-r7D ma-c-nJlhE71MJ-iC8AES/view. Accessed 17 February 2022.

"Medieval Hairstyles." Medieval Chronicles. https://www.medievalchronicles.com/medieval-

clothing/ medieval-hairstyles/. 24 February 2022.

¨Middle Ages Feudal System." Ducksters. www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages_feudal

_system.php .Accessed 07 February 2022.

Ross, David. "Feudalism and Medieval Life." Britain Express. www.britainexpress.com/History/Feu

dalism _and_Medieval_life.htm . Accessed 07 February 2022.