Middle Ages Research

Camila Orozco 

Encounters 6

Ms. Damante

April 17, 2025

The Dark and Hard Times 

Introduction

Do you ever wonder how things were like during the Middle Ages? The Middle Ages was a tragic time where there were rules to be followed, deadly diseases happened and cruel punishments were given. Feudalism was the type of government used during that period of time. It was organized by ranks. The Black Death was a deadly disease during the Middle Ages. Once you caught the disease, there was a high risk of you dying. The punishments were also very cruel during the Middle Ages. People would have one of their body parts cut off if they committed a crime. This time period was very rough for the people that lived during the Middle Ages.

Feudalism

Feudalism was the basic government and society in Europe during this time period. It wasn’t organized by kings, more like lords. Small communities were formed around the local lord. The lord owned the land and everything inside. He would keep the peasants safe in return for their service. He would also provide the king with soldiers or taxes. According to Ducksters “The basic government and society in Europe during the middle ages was based around the feudal system. Small communities were formed around the local lord and the manor. The lord owned the land and everything in it. He would keep the peasants safe in return for their service. The lord, in return, would provide the king with soldiers or taxes.”(Middle…). This means that most of the people depended on the lord's help. 

The center of life in the Middle ages was the manor. The manor was runned by the lord. He lived in a large house, so most people would go there for a celebration or if they were being attacked. Churches would even surround it. Farms would be spread out so that peasants could work there.

The peasants or serfs were at the bottom of the Feudal system. Most of the people who were living in the middle ages were serfs/peasants. Those people lived a hard life. Some of those serfs could be free and have their own businesses like carpenting, baking and blacksmiths. Others were more like slaves. They owned nothing and were working for the Lord. They worked 6 days a week, and those days were long days. They barely had any food to survive.

Black Death

In Medieval England, there was this contagious disease called the Black Plague. Most people call it the Black Death now. This disease killed nearly 1.5 million out of 4 million people from 1348 and 1350. The Black Death happened in the 14th century. It was believed that Asia had brought this disease in late 1348 while trading with them. According to the website “History Learning” it says, “It was believed to have arrived from Asia in late 1348 and caused more than one epidemic in that century – though its impact on English society from 1348 to 1350 was terrible.”(The Black…). This means that people who were living during this time period were not living an easy life if they had caught this disease.

 Throughout time, people found out that this disease was carried by fleas on rats. Rats were very common in towns and cities. When the fleas bit into the organism it was thought that they were literally injecting the disease. If you were a weaker victim, death would often be more quick. 

By the spring of 1349 6 out of 10 Londeners had died. The first symptoms someone would experience if they had the disease were lumps in the groin or armpits. After this black spots would form on your thighs, arms, and other body parts. Very few people recovered from this disease. Many of the diseased people would die in three days. There was never a cure for the Black Death during the Middle Ages, so people would die within the time period. This led to Europe's population decreasing and less people wanting to travel, due to this.

Crime and Punishment

During the Middle Ages  if you were to commit a crime you would have a crucial punishment. People were beheaded if they committed a crime. People would get their right hand cut off if they were stealing. They would get beaten, burned alive, stretched on a rack, and women who committed adultery were drowned. Also, at the time vagrancy was considered a crime. If someone committed that they would be put into a stock so the townspeople could beat them. 

Hangings, and public torture were announced by the kings men. People would come from far away places. Some people even came with children, so their children would be scared to commit a crime. According to The Finer Times, “Hangings and Public torture would be announced by the kings men, people would come from far and wide often bring children with them, this was encouraged by rulers thinking it was a deterrent from committing crime, bringing fear to the townspeople.”(Crime (2)…) . This means that the townspeople were scared to commit a crime because of the deadly punishments.

There was also a sheriff. The sheriff would put people in gaol before they were brought to trial. Most people in gaol would often die due to a disease that they would get before they went to trial. While in gaol, the person would rely on friends or family to bring them food. They would need food or else they would starve.

Also, if someone were to murder, they would often get executed. Large crowds would often come to the execution. According to “Camelot International”, “Executions were carried out in public and were often watched by large crowds.”(Crime and Punishment(1)…)

Conclusion 

The Middle Ages was a rough time. The Feudal System, the Black Death, and the punishments for the crimes were terrible. A lot of people did not like the Feudal System, and especially the serfs. The Black Death killed nearly half of Europe's population. The punishments were very cruel. People had their hands cut off if they were stealing. The Middle Ages was a cruel time period to live in, but it is an interesting topic to learn about.

Works Cited 

“Crime and Punishment in The Middle Ages”. Camelot International. www.camelotintl.com/ 

village/crime/ . Accessed 27 January 2025.

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

Accessed 22 February 2023. 

“Middle Ages: The Black Death” Ducksters. www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages_ 

black_death.php . Accessed 27 January 2025.

Nash, Tim. “Crime and Punishment in The Middle Ages” The Finer Times. www.thefinertimes. 

com/crime-and-punishment-in-the-middle-ages. Accessed 28 January 2025.

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

/History/Feudalism_and_Medieval_life.htm Accessed 7 February 2023.

“The Black Death of 1348 to 1350”. History Learning. www.historylearningsite.co.uk/medieval 

-england/black-death-1348-1350/#google_vignette . Accessed 27 January 2025.