Health
was a major concern during the Dark Ages as it was not good
at all. Many babies died because of the lack of knowledge
and proper equipment. This was the case for both the rich
and the poor - which both suffered because of the improper
knowledge eiven at the time.
Feudal
System
 It
shall be noted that there were many different social classes.
In the Medieval Times, nobles were a minority, they were very
few but they possessed almost all the land. They had many
vassals who defended their lords in exchange for fief.
Serfs
were a majority of people. They were quasi-free peasants who
had to work a designed land for his or her patron. This illustrates
the hierarchy of those times:
Kings
Lords
Vassals
Serfs
 This
system of protection came to be known as "Feudalism."
It played an enormous role in the life--and death--of medieval
people. In times of peace, serfs would work the land. The
goods produced would be given to his or her patron (the vassals).
A small tax would then be paid to the lords, who would in
turn pay another tax to their king.
This helped
everyone. Lords gave land to their vassals, who protected
everyone else. Feudalism was the most common way of living
in the Dark Ages. Serfs were normally subject to very hard
labor; including more than 12 hours of work each day.
Inside
a castle, life and work was very different. It is a popular
belief that during the Dark Ages, there wasn't art nor science.
This is a conspicuous misconception. During times of peace;
writers, painters, artisans, alchemists, bowyers; worked very
hard inside their workshops. Alchemists in especial, dramatically
improved our modern conception of Chemistry.
Since
feudalism was very efficient at providing food at a massive
level inside a castle; life was much different than on the
outside. Women were supposed to be housekeepers; they normally
taught their children all they needed to know in their earlier
years; until they either found a tutor, or joined the army
(normally at the age of 16).
Men had
a very big array of job options at their disposal. Chefs,
guards, farmers, soldiers were some of the most common jobs.
A member of the middle class, was paid a wage which paid for
his neccessities and more.
However,
not everything was nice in the Medieval Times. Torture devises,
plague, deaths, invading armies; were some of the most common
causes of medieval discomfort. The church had an immense power
over the citizens. The clergy controlled a vast percentage
of the lands and people. Torture was a very common way to
punish blasphemers and other religious offenders.
Plague
was another major concern. Approximately every 100 years,
there was a plague that would devastate whole towns and castles.
Minor plagues were also frequent; killing thousands. Many
laws were passed to improve a castle's sanity, building reservoirs
and a good clean-up of specific areas such as a castle's kitchen.
Undoubtedly,
what peasants feared the most was the threat of an invasion.
The whole purpose of a castle was to stop this from happening,
but when it happened; peasants would be stuck inside a castle
for months. Serfs were brought inside the castle, making it
very uncomfortable for the upper classes. When a castle was
defeated, there were two possible outcomes:
1) The
invaders took prisoners and later released them.
2) The
interlopers killed everyone inside the castle, abusing women
and children.
This was
a major concern; and the reason for a castle's enormous walls.
Everything
was based on life and hope. Faith and religion were the most
basic beliefs. Everyone was sure about God's omnipotence.
Nobody ever doubted in God and that's what marked medieval
life. A struggle between the unconscious of men to decide
true happiness was ensued.
Not everything
was bad, however. Medieval villagers sought ways to be entertained
- most notably the elderly, who made many stories based on
popular folklore. |
