Middle Ages Research Project

Genesis Charo

Encounters 6

Ms. Damante

April 19, 2024

The Medieval Times 

Introduction

How much do you know about what happened in the Medieval Times? Feudalism was the government system. Holidays and traditions also existed back then. The Black Death was devastating to all of those people who lost loved ones. There are only such events that happened during one time period, the Middle Ages.

Feudalism

Feudalism was the government and society in Europe during the Middle Ages. Back then, everything was based on the feudal system. The peasants or serfs, who were the lowest in rank, had a tough life during the Middle Ages. Most of the people then were peasants. Their villages were huts with dirt floors, and no windows or chimneys. Serfs were attached to lords for life, but they weren’t slaves. Their jobs were to farm and pay rent to the knights and the knights provided them protection. They farmed certain foods like cabbage, turnips, onions, carrots, beans, peas, and fruit. This was later turned into processed food like pastries.

The knights were second to lowest in rank, they were vassals to lords. The knights could be called to battle by the lords at any time. “They also were the king's knights and could be called into battle at any moment by their Baron.”(Middle…), says an article titled, “Middle Ages Feudal System”. The knights provided lords with military service. In exchange, they gave the knights and peasants food, protection, and shelter. After the knights come the lords, who rank second to highest. The lords were vassals to the king and owned the land the serfs lived in.

After the lords came the king, the highest in rank, the top leader, but the king could not manage all the land by himself, so he split it among the Barons. In return, they promised the king their loyalty and military forces, just like the knights. Once a king died, his son, the firstborn, recognized as a medieval prince, would inherit the throne, with all the royal benefits and needs. Feudalism ended because of the rise of nationalism, bureaucracy, and polite culture growth.

Holidays and Celebrations

Holidays in the Middle Ages were about the same as the celebrations we have today. Usually, the seasons and months were celebrated with Religious Feast, the Medieval holidays. They were celebrated to mark an important religious event each month. Like school or work, celebrating certain holidays would be followed by a week of vacation for those with jobs. 

Most of the holidays in the Middle Ages were based on religion. For example, Christmas was celebrated in a church, along with Pentecost Day, also known as Whitsunday. Christmas was and still is the same. Gifts are exchanged, and there is a feast on Christmas Day enjoyed during the winter vacations in the Medieval Times with family and friends in the company, just like today. “Houses were decked with holly and ivy, and giant Yule logs were brought in and burned throughout the two-week celebration.”(Holidays…), says an article titled, “Holidays and Celebrations”. The vacation workers had lasted about 2 weeks, from Christmas Eve to January 6 also known as the Twelfth Day. It was the longest vacation those who were employed ever had, allowing everyone to be home for the cold holiday. This winter celebration was not the only holiday they celebrated.

Easter, another holiday we have in common with the Middle Ages, was celebrated and enjoyed back then just like Christmas. Although Easter was celebrated differently in the Middle Ages, it is still very similar to the holiday today. When celebrating Easter in the Middle Ages, gifts were exchanged, just like Christmas. “The castle lord would receive eggs from the villagers and in return, provide servants with dinner.”(Holidays…), says an article titled “Holidays and Celebrations”. This made Easter beneficial to both serfs, who needed the food, and the lord, who was provided the food in exchange for the eggs.

The Black Death

The Black Death had an important role that had a horrible impact on society. Also known as the bubonic plague or pneumonic plague, the disease was deadly. The amount of people that died because of the plague is devastating; 75 million people perished in the Fourteenth Century. “History records the Black Death as having begun in the fourteenth century in southern Russian near the Crimea. From here, the disease spread along Far Eastern routes towards Western Europe to the Middle East.”(History…), says an article titled, “History Of Black Death”. Because of such devastating performance of the plague, it was named the Black Death. 

The disease was caused by the organism Yersinia pestis. Rodents and fleas carried around the disease, fleas were more common to bite a person and so the plague spread. People who were victims of the horrible disease, “were covered with dark blotches due to damage to the underlying skin and tissue.”(History…), says an article titled, “History of Black Death ''. The disease was beginning to spread rapidly because, in towns and cities, people lived close to each other. Workers, due to being sick, lost their jobs, leading to a lack of food, and the necessity to steal. “Farming and trade patterns were disrupted by war, and adverse weather conditions added to the diminishing supply of grains -- wheat, barley, and oats.”(History…), says the article once again. This made food a challenge to ever obtain and did not benefit those who were sick, since food is part of theirs and everyone's nutrition.

The plague also made it to Medieval England, where it killed 1.5 million out of approximately 4 million people between 1348 and 1350. In England, no medical knowledge existed to treat the sick. “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.”(Trueman), says the author of “The Black Death Of 1348 to 1350” article. What stopped the Black Death was quarantine and social distance between people.  

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the Middle Ages were an interesting time that had its ups and downs we can develop from. Holidays grew up to be the ones we have right now, Feudalism is a system we can learn from, and the Black Death can be cured now thanks to medics. Even though this period was dark and devastating to many people, it’s important to those who know how to improve the system. There are many more things we are yet to learn about the Middle Ages.

Works Cited 

Alchin, Linda. “Medieval Holidays.” Medieval Life and Times. March 2018, www.medieval-li 

fe-and-times.info/medieval-england/medieval-holidays.htm. Accessed 15 February 2024.

“History of Black Death.” All About History. 2002. allabouthistory.org/history-of-black-death.htm.  

Accessed 23 February 2024.

“Holidays and Celebrations.” Medival-life.net. 2000. medieval-life.net/festivals.htm.  Accessed 22 

February 2024.

“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.

Trueman, Chris. “The Black Death Of 1348 to 1350.” The History Learning Site. 5 March 2015, www.hi 

storylearningsite.co.uk/medieval-england/black-death-1348-1350/.  Accessed 23 February 2024.