The Middle Ages were a time where kings and nobles owned the land and serfs worked with little pay. Serfs were like slaves that worked on a farm (Doc. 1). They got one day to farm for themselves and the other six they were working for their king or noble (OI). Nobles and kings had knights called vassals (OI). Vassals were knights who protected and served kings and nobles in exchange for land (OI).
The Middle Ages was a period that lasted from about 500 to 1500(OI). There were kings and queens, nobles, knights, and peasants (Doc. 1). People were treated and respected differently according to their class(OI). There were special relationships and responsibilities that everyone had. In the Middle Ages feudalism affected people’s lives economically, socially, and politically.
Respect (A Discussion on Chivalry used in The Green Knight and Morte D’Arthur.) Chivalry is code of conduct used by knights, and heroes of the past. “Chivalry, the order of knighthood and, especially, the code of knightly behavior that was a feature of the High and later Middle Ages in western Europe”(Funk). Along with this idea of Chivalry, Feudalism was used in Europe as well. Feudalism is the system of both government and land ownership, where in exchange for a nobleman 's oath of loyalty, a king would grant them land.
People in our world, whether it’s in the past or present, are constantly influenced by their surroundings. They live their lives based on what’s around them and how they are brought up. The people in the Middle Ages were often exposed to a variety of different things that affected what they did. Their relationships with one another, and the way they were brought up to interact with each other greatly modified each individual’s lives. In addition to that, their daily jobs affected how they lived as well.
The Middle Ages was the time period after the fall of the Roman Empire around 500 CE to the 1350’s. During this time the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope held the most power throughout Europe, the priests often lived in a closed area inside the walls of the monasteries. “Schools were few. Illiteracy was widespread” (Background essay) because of this average person of this time was illiterate .and more than 85 percent of the population were farmers and peasants called serfs and they worked in an estate for the owner called the lord.
Strength and Fight Courage (Chivalry in Excalibur) “A gentleman is someone who does not what he wants to do, but what he should do”(Murakami). “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a story that is based on the life of Celtic warriors who fought in the Anglo- Saxon invaders of England in the fifth and sixth centuries”(pg.171). This story presents many acts of chivalry, chivalry is the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak. These acts of chivalry are shown from the knights in the story.
In medieval times, chivalry was something that many men lived up to. If a man lived up to the expectations of chivalry he was said to be loyal, brave and courageous. For some it was difficult to follow certain codes especially when it came to romance, an example: Sir Lancelot in the movie “First Knight.” Medieval romance was taken seriously during its time. Not only did men/knights have to follow rules and codes about war, but also about romance.
During the Medieval times chivalry was one of the most important characteristics a knight could display. Chivalry was viewed as a moral obligation that involved bravery, honor, respect, and gallantry. Knights were expected to uphold this code or face social consequences for any infractions, with punishments ranging from humiliation to termination of their knighthood. “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” presents the struggles knights faced with honoring the chivalrous code at all times. Sir Gawain, while imperfect, exhibits qualities expected of knights and embodies the internal struggle between honoring the chivalrous code and giving into selfish desires.
Through Chaucer we can see that he was educated, but yet part of the lower class because he didn't have any clothes on his back. As a decision to become a knight, William through Chaucer, made him come up with a line of unknown ancestors to be able to participate in the tournament. Even though none of this was true, he was taking risks of becoming a knight and even changed his name to Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein because William wasn't from a royal status. Throughout the places they traveled and the new things they saw , we are able to capture an image of how society was divided and formed through the lower and higher status. The lower status were beggars and lived in rundown places, like his father's house, it was a little house with no furniture or appliances and his little house had a leak in the ceiling.
The medieval times lasted from the 6th century to the 16th century. The medieval era wasn 't a pleasant time for people to be alive as it was a time were punishments and trials were really harsh and dangerous. During this time, it was easy for people to commit a crime. Crimes that are now seen as something insignificant were perceived as a horrible offence such as sleeping on the streets and talking behind peoples back. The society in the medieval times were organized by the feudal System.
Women of the Medieval Times Women have always had a significant role in history even though they were treated horrible in most cases. During the Medieval Times was really the first time women were allowed to become more than just a house wife. The fight for equality has always been a struggle and even in today’s society is still an ongoing battle. Although women of lower and middle class were treated poorly in the Medieval Times, some powerful women held great responsibility and were looked up too by both men and children; despite being admired, “men were thought to be not only physically stronger but more emotionally stable, more intelligent, and morally less feeble” (Hopkins 5). “The position of women in the Medieval Society was greatly influenced by the views of the Roman Catholic Church” (Heeve).
Daily Life of the Various Classes of People during the Middle Age 10-1 Linda Lim Moon Hee Since the Middle Age had a status system, there were various classes of people living different daily life and had diverse duties. The classes during the Middle Age were kings, queens, princes, princesses, nobilities, Dukes, Barons, knights, peasants, merchants, freemen, serfs, slaves, clergy, popes, bishops, priests, monks, and craftsmen. There were plenty of social classes and they had all different roles. Serfs were generally peasant farmers who provide labor services, pay rent, and be subjected to their lord’s control. Some parts of the lord’s land were for serfs to make their own foods.
Introduction Women in the Middle ages were treated as the second class members within their social class. They were taught to be obedient to their husbands and were expected to run the household and raise children. Their role in the society, however, was much more complex, while some medieval women achieved a high level of equality with men. In the Middle Ages women had a secondary role, coming second after men.
In the film ‘A Knight’s Tale’, directed by Brian Helgeland, William is going to a banquet where he meets Jocelyn and they are seated next to each other. This scene is where William expresses his feelings about Jocelyn. The conversation is going perfectly until Adhemar comes and is also seated next to Jocelyn. This becomes awkward instantly as Adhemar tries to compliments Jocelyn. Brian Helgeland uses techniques like dialogue, costume,set design and camera angle to create the scene and tension between Jocelyn, Adhemar and William.
During medieval times, women were expected to be mothers, wives, and peace weavers, none other than that. They were required to be pure, good, and attractive in order to be portrayed as the “greatest gift to mankind.” Otherwise they would be looked upon as evil, witch-like, and monstrous. Women were expected to be adorned in jewels, well-liked, and respected by all. They shall cause no conflicts and should bow to their male authorities.
