Middle Ages Research

Lizbeth Ahumada

Encounters 6

Ms. Damante

April 17, 2025

The Middle Ages

Introduction

The Middle Ages. A time one wouldn’t be able to forget, especially if you lived through it. It was filled with dark and mysterious events, but also fun and unforgettable ones too. Feudalism was one of the main parts of the Middle Ages, for it was the most important system of government at the time. The Tudor Era was an important period in the Middle Ages, having a dynasty that ruled England for over more than 100 years. Finally, Mary I was an important figure of England, earning her nickname of “Bloody Mary” based on the number of people she would execute. All of these important things are yet to be discovered, and this essay will uncover it all.

Feudalism

Feudalism was one of the most important systems used in the middle ages. It was a system that helped everyone and everything. It helped being fair to everyone, and it also helped everyone agree. Kingdoms and villages were all based around the local lord and manor. It wasn't just used for governmental purposes, but for other important purposes as well. The Feudal System was organized by the local lord and manor. It was made to not only give all control to the king, but to the other rulers as well. The king wasn’t really as powerful when he was compared to the lord.

The lord owned land, giving safety to peasants in return for service. In return, he would give the king soldiers or taxes. The king granted land to a baron, and it went all the way down to a peasant for them to grow crops. According to “Ducksters”, “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.” (History of Middle Ages Feudal System) This shows that everyone got their own fair share. 

A peasant's life was not so bad, but at the same time not the best. Many families lived in huts with dirt floors, with no chimneys and windows. One side of the hut was for livestock, while the other was for basic needs. They weren't always busy, and they could go to fairs and markets. “Britain Express” stated, “Peasants had a hard life, but they did not work on Sundays or on the frequent saints’ days and they could go to nearby fairs and markets.” This proves that their life wasn’t bad, at least it wasn't as bad as the serfs. 

A serfs life was much more harsher. They were obligated to respect the lord, and couldn't have any property. They were also obligated to ask about everything. For example, they needed permission to marry. Their freedom of movement was very weak, for they could not escape the land. They were more like slaves than actual people. The author wrote “Others were more like slaves. They owned nothing and were pledged to their local lord.” in the article “Ducksters”. This proves that a serf's life isn't any easier than a peasants’.

The Tudor Era

The Tudor period refers to the time between 1485 and 1603.This was when the Tudor family was in charge, for their dynasty lasted more than 100 years. Their very first ruler was Henry VII, reigning all of England throughout 1457 and 1509. Its last ruler was Queen Elizabeth I, lasting more than 40 years (1558-1603), making her the last monarch to ever rule England during the Tudor dynasty. 

As mentioned, King Henry VII was the first monarch of the Tudor dynasty. He was crowned as king when he defeated Richard III in the Battle of Bosworth. According to “National Geographic Kids”, “The first Tudor monarch was King Henry VII who claimed the throne when his forces defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. He also brought an end to The War of Roses, a war between two families that wanted the throne to England, since they were both descendants of King Edward III. His reign lasted from 1485-1509. After that, his son, Henry VIII, would reign England, and possibly be one of the worst monarchs England ever had.

Henry VIII is one of England’s most popular historical figures. He is mostly known because of his 6 wives he had in his days of marriage. “Natgeokids” stated, "Henry VIII became King of England in 1509 and ruled until his death in 1547. Today one of England’s most famous historical figures, Henry VIII is well known for his six marriages – and for having two of his wives beheaded!” Both Catherine of Aragon and Anne of Cleves were divorced, Anne 

Boleyn and Catherine Howard were beheaded, and Jane Seymour died because of childbirth. His last wife was Catherine Parr, surviving Henry VIII because of his death in 1547. He is also known because of the number of people he had killed, killing almost 70,000 people in England because of his short temper, caused by a horrible infection in his leg.

Finally, every child Henry VIII had was mostly a failure when they took over the throne, except for one of his daughters, Elizabeth I. When Mary Tudor was executed, Elizabeth I took over the throne. She was actually better than what people thought what kind of monarch she would've been. She was a protestant, but there weren't many problems in religion. She was the last monarch to ever reign in the Tudor Period.

Mary I

The Tudor period refers to the time between 1485 and 1603.This was when the Tudor family was in charge, for their dynasty lasted more than 100 years. Their very first ruler was Henry VII, reigning all of England throughout 1457 and 1509. Its last ruler was Queen Elizabeth I, lasting more than 40 years (1558-1603), making her the last monarch to ever rule England during the Tudor dynasty. 

As mentioned, King Henry VII was the first monarch of the Tudor dynasty. He was crowned as king when he defeated Richard III in the Battle of Bosworth. According to “National Geographic Kids”, “The first Tudor monarch was King Henry VII who claimed the throne when his forces defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. He also brought an end to The War of Roses, a war between two families that wanted the throne to England, since they were both descendants of King Edward III. His reign lasted from 1485-1509. After that, his son, Henry VIII, would reign England, and possibly be one of the worst monarchs England ever had.

Henry VIII is one of England’s most popular historical figures. He is mostly known because of his 6 wives he had in his days of marriage. “Natgeokids” stated, "Henry VIII became King of England in 1509 and ruled until his death in 1547. Today one of England’s most famous historical figures, Henry VIII is well known for his six marriages – and for having two of his wives beheaded!” Both Catherine of Aragon and Anne of Cleves were divorced, Anne 

Boleyn and Catherine Howard were beheaded, and Jane Seymour died because of childbirth. His last wife was Catherine Parr, surviving Henry VIII because of his death in 1547. He is also known because of the number of people he had killed, killing almost 70,000 people in England because of his short temper, caused by a horrible infection in his leg.

Finally, every child Henry VIII had was mostly a failure when they took over the throne, except for one of his daughters, Elizabeth I. When Mary Tudor was executed, Elizabeth I took over the throne. She was actually better than what people thought what kind of monarch she would've been. She was a protestant, but there weren't many problems in religion. She was the last monarch to ever reign in the Tudor Period.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the Middle Ages is an interesting topic to learn about. Feudalism was one of the most important things that existed during the Middle Ages, the Tudor Period was one of the most powerful and important families to rule England, and Mary I, also known as “Bloody Mary”, was one of the most important figures in history of the Tudor Dynasty. All of these topics were learned about, but only by a little, for there is definitely much more to learn about them.

Works Cited 

“Feudalism and Medieval Life” Britain Express. www.britainexpress.com/History/Feudalism 

_and_Medieval_life.htmm. Accessed 23 January 2025.

“Mary I Queen of England in Her Own Right” ThoughtCo. www.thoughtco.com/mary-i-bio 

graphy-3525578. Accessed January 29 2025

“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.

“Tudor Era / National Geographic for Kids” natgeokids.com. www.natgeokids.com/uk/di 

scover/history/general-history/tudor-facts/#:~:text=The%20Tudor%20period%20is%20th

e,of%20Bosworth%20Field%20in%201485. Accessed 23 January 23 2025