Social Classes In Medieval Times

In the Medieval time period, there were different classes that played different roles in the

society. The upper class, and the lower class are the classes that differ the most in this time

period. The upper class were often viewed as nobles, and the lower class were commonly viewed

as peasants, serfs, or commoners. The ways of life and the roles of these two societal classes

were also drastically different. Although these two classes are very different, they are both vital

to the society.

The nobles during this day in age were all born into nobility, and a serf had no chance of

ever being a noble. Nobles were very prideful in their way of life and did not have to do much to

gain respect from their peers and from the peasants. They also did not have to do

Noble’s main priority was to keep peace

and to keep the society’s classes separated. This means that they created the laws of their lands

and they controlled everything inside it, including the peasants.

The peasant’s lifestyle differs tremendously from that of the nobles. This shows in the

movie The Knights Tale as William Thatcher, a boy raised as a peasant on the countryside by his

father, lies about his name and where he is from to be able to have a chance to be a noble and

“change his stars” as he says. A peasant was not supposed to ever be a noble if they were not

born into nobility; therefore their role in society was to respect the upper class and work and do

for themselves. They made their clothes by hand, harvested or killed for food, and worked hard

for any money or needs that might be essential to them. Life was hard for a peasant, and every

peasant dreamt of being a noble and having vast amounts of food, money, and clothing.

Although, this was not possible unless a peasant lied lie like William did, and the outcome might

not be as gracious.

In conclusion, keeping the role of the upper class and the lower class in check,