Middle Ages Research Project 

Isaac Mendoza

Encounters 6

Ms. Damante

March 24, 2022

The Fascinating Times 

Introduction

Kings, knights,peasents,plauges and torture.These were important events during the medival times.The Black Death was the cause of 75 million deaths!The Medieval Times were fascinating,but it was hard to live.They had to live in a system where kings would rule the land and peasants would work for the kings.But if you would have broken a law you would get punished.This would have keeped on going until one day a virus and ended it all called the Black Death.These were some of the important events that happened during the Fascinating times.

Feudalism

Feudalism was the basic government and society in Europe during the Middle Ages. Feudalism in practice meant that the country was not governed by the king but by individual lords, or barons, who administered their own estates, dispensed their own justice, minted their own money, levied taxes and tolls, and demanded military service from vassals.(Ross) The king's castle was surrounded by a small village that included the local church, peasants were in charge of working in the farm.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.It was a must for the vassal to attend the lord at his court, help him administer justice, and help financially if needed. He must answer a summons to battle, bringing an agreed-upon number of fighting men.(Ross)The center of life in the Middle Ages was the manor. The manor was run by the local lord. He lived in a large house or castle where people would gather for celebrations or for protection if they were attacked.(Ross)

Black Death

The Black Death was the cause for the ending of the Feudalism System. The Black Death was so named due to its physical manifestation and its affect on society(All..). It began in the fourteenth century in Southern Russia spreading to Far Eastern routes towards Western Europe to the Middle East. It was a very deadly disease that the total number of fatalities reached up to 75 million. Due to its high mortality rate and its fast spreading it was being refer to as a pandemic and or a plague.This plague was caused by the organism,Yersinia pestis which was carried about from the bodies of black rats by fleas.(All…) The people affected by the disease were covered with black blotches due to the damage of the underlying skin and tissue. This medical phenomenon known as acral necrosis or subdural hemorrhages gave rise to the term Black Death.(All…) This pandemic had three different ways it would present itself. Each of which manifested differently.

  The first manifestation and with the lowest mortality rate was known as the Bubonic plague. Its mortality rate was from 30 to 75 percent. Presenting itself with swollen lymph nodes(buboes) along the neck, armpits, and groin. These tumors could range in size from that of an egg to that of an apple. Although some survived(eyewitness…)Symptoms also included fever, chills, joint pain, headaches, nause, and malaise.

Second most common form was known as Pneumonic plague. Its mortality rate was very high from 90 to 95 percent. It was transmitted from person to person,an airborne infection(All…) Victims affected by this form would present with: blood tinged spectrum which became increasingly more free flowing as the disease progressed.

The third form was known as the Septicaemic plague which was a rare form.  Its mortality rate was almost 100 percent.

Crime and Punishment 

The punishment for wrong-doing were very harsh in the middle ages. People who were guilty of lesser offenses were fined or put in the stocks but those found guilty of serious crimes such as highway robbery, stealing livestock or treason and murder were executed. Executions were carried out in public and were often watched by large crowds.(Nash)Other forms of punishment included right hand cut off for stealing,people were beaten,burned alive,stretched on a rack and women caught in adultery were drowned. They would even go as far as to cut

 criminals  into four pieces so that the pain would kill them. This would be done right just before their death.People were beheaded and limbs cut off, vagabonds were often whipped and chained in stocks.People lived in a state of fear thinking they would be the next victim(Nash).Torture was even part in the catholic church. They would use torture in order to receive a confession regardless if the person was guilty or not. A criminal was someone who by doing something wrong ¨had disturbed the king's peace¨(Camelot ….l). Jail or gaol as it was referred to was a place where I would definitely want to avoid. Conditions there were usually very dirty and crowded and prisoners often died of diseases they caught in gaol before they got to trial(Camelot….). The only way a prisoner would have a way of obtaining food was if their family members and or friends would provide them with money for food. Otherwise they would pretty much starve to death. Charitable people sometimes left money or they were willing to help prisoners buy food.(Camelot….)

Conclusion 

All the events interesting and important without them the Middle Ages wouldnt have existed.The system,the torture and the Ending the Black Death.

This time period was very important because without them we probably won't have laws but this also says how lucky we are because imagine if the middle time were still happening it would be very difficult to live.

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.

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

Accessed 30 January 2023.

“The Black Death.” Eye Witness to History. www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm. Accessed 

4 February 2023.

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

village/crime.html. Accessed 5 January 2023

”Crime and Punishment in the Middle Ages.” The Finer Times. 23 November 2008, 

www.thefinertimes.com/crime-and-punishment-in-the-middle-ages. Accessed 5 February 2023.