Middle Ages research project

Cesario Ramirez 

Encounters 6

Ms. Damante

April 19, 2024

The Middle Ages a Different Time

Introduction

King Arthur is one of the most well known figures from the Middle Ages, but it’s not certain where the legend of King Arthur came from, or if he is based off of a real historical person. Feudalism was the main form of government during the Middle Ages. Feudalism consisted of four tiers: monarchs, lords, knights, and peasants. King Arthur is a very well known figure from the Middle Ages he is known for leading Britain after it got invaded, and for leading the knights of the round table . Religion in the middle ages was dominated by christianity. The catholic church was the only church in Europe and in turn was very powerful in fact the church was so powerful that its laws and leading government roles were in the hands of the church. The Middle Ages were so different from the world today.

Feudalism

In the Middle Ages the common form of government was Feudalism “The basic government and society in Europe during the Middle Ages was based around the feudal system” (Middle…). 

In Feudalism the king was above everyone and in control of all the land since he was in control of all the land he would divide up the land among the barons; the barons were someone who pledged loyalty and service to the king for land in return. The bishop was the church leader of the kingdom, and he managed an area called the diocese since the church was very powerful in most parts of England the bishop was in turn very powerful too.

 Most people during the Middle Ages were peasants, some peasants were considered free and would own their own business though not all were free some were slaves who pledged to their local lord. Feudalism was built upon a relationship of obligation between vassals and lords. A vassal held his land as a grant from the lord and when the vassal died his heir was required to renew their oath of faithfulness. The vassal was required to attend the lord in court, administer justice, and contribute money. When he is needed in battle he must answer summons and bring an agreed amount of fighting men. Manors were used instead of villages; a manor consisted of a manor house, one or more villages, and several thousand acres of land divided into meadow, pasture, forest, and cultivated fields.

King Arthur 

King Arthur is a legendary king who appears in many medieval romances as the ruler of the knightly fellowship of round table. It is not certain where these legends came from or if King Arthur was based off of a real historical figure. Some assumptions that a real King Arthur led the Welsh resistance to Saxon advance from the middle Thames are based on two early writers. The 9th century Historia Brittonum records 12 battles fought by Arthur against the Saxons reaching a climax in a victory at Mons Badonicus. 

Early Welsh writing made Arthur into a king of wonders. This conception of a heroic band with Arthur as its leader doubtlessly led to the idea of Arthur's court. The name King Arthur brings up a very specific image as a legendary hero who took control of Britain during a troubled time; this is due to his constant presence in early English literature.

 In some stories Arthur pulls his sword “Excalibur” from a stone, in others the sword is given to him by a mysterious woman in a lake. The man who is said to have led to Arthurs eventual downfall Mordred was supposedly his son from his half sister but some stories depict him as Arthur’s nephew.  

Arthur took the throne after Britain got invaded and its king was removed. A prophecy stated that the only man who would rightfully take the throne had to pull a sword from the ancient stone, and one day a young stranger stepped up to the stone and pulled out the sword effortlessly, and all the townspeople cheered that they finally had a new king.

 In order to fight the evil forces still pillaging the countryside Arthur recruited the best knights to fight beside him; These knights would become the knights of the round table although some knights appear again and again some don't. “ have stories of their own, apart from Arthur” (Freeman)

Religion

Religion was dominated by christianity in the Middle Ages; the catholic church was the only church in Europe the laws and leading roles in the government were in the hands of church leaders; the powers of the pope were so powerful that he would exclude a king for a misdeed. 

Christianity was so dominant in the Middle Ages that attempts to purify the church and society led to christian campaigns against other religions. William the Conqueror imposed a total reorganization of the English church after the conquest of 1066; he acquired the pope's blessing by promising to reform irregularities of the anglo saxon church.

 The monastic life appealed to a wide range of people; some who embraced this lifestyle included the aristocrats and knights. More monasteries were founded towards the later times of the medieval period. 

For most the parish church was the main focus of religion. At a parish church they held mass each Sunday and celebrated the many saints’ days and festivals that were merged with daily life. Some would leave money for the priest to pray for their soul after death. The wealthy could buy a permanent chantry chapel and priests were employed to pray for the salvation of the person and their families. “Chantry priests were employed solely to pray for the salvation of these benefactors and their families” (Medieval…)

Conclusion 

The government and religion in the Middle Ages was very different from the way it is practiced in today's world. The government today is mainly democratic, but in the Middle Ages it was mainly a feudal system. The religion in the Middle Ages was dominated by christianity; although christianity is still practiced today there are many more religions practiced now than there were in the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages are important because there were many important people, and events that happened during the Middle Ages that have shaped the world today.

Works Cited 

Freeman, Shanna. ”How King Arthur Worked.” How Stuff Works. history.howstuffworks.com/historical 

-figures/king-arthur.htm. Accessed 15 February 2024.

“Medieval Religion.” English Religion. www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/medieval/reli 

gion/. Accessed 23 February 2024.

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

Accessed 22 February 2023. 

Newman, Simon. ”Religion in the Middle Ages.” The Finer Times. 19 May 2012, www.thefinertimes 

.com/religion-in-the-middle-ages. Accessed 23 February 2024.

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

/History/Feudalism_and_Medieval_life.htm Accessed 7 February 2023.

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “King Arthur Legendary King of Britain.” Britannica. 01 

February 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/King-Arthur. Accessed 15 February 2024.