The Middle Ages was thought to be a very mystical time with Kings, Queens, Knight, and Romance. When really it has proven to be one the most hard and dangerous time periods to of lived in. For safety and defense the King created the Manor System and appointed Lords or Masters to govern small communities that were spread out throughout Europe; these small town were called Manors. Most of Europe's population lived in Manors. Each Manor had a church, the Lords house (usually a Castle), farm land, mills, blacksmiths, and other community like structures. Each Manor was self sufficient and they were all isolated from each other, which also meant there was no trade. The king also created the Feudal System for more protection which was a political/ social structure where the King gave out land to the wealthy, then the Lords would provide protection. The Roman Catholic Church was the only church in Europe at the time and had their own laws and had a large income from the taxes citizens were forced to pay. Everyone had to follow the church rules in order to remain members of the church and to keep their political rights. Bishops and Archbishops sat on the Kings council and had leading roles in the government, and the church leaders advised the King. The church was not just the "church" back then, it played a very important role in the government. Everyone had the same religion, values, and morals. The church shaped the lives of people in all social classes but sometimes had some issues. One of the many problems of the church was the Canon Law. Where the church threatened the citizens with excommunication and interdict. Village priests also started to marry and monks began to engage in relationships. Positions in the church we also sold by Bishops also called Simony, the church also collected taxes as "tithes". Another major part of the Middle Ages were the Crusades; Religious wars over holy cities. There was also the Black Plague which travelled along the Silk Road all the way to the Black Sea. From there, it was most likely carried by fleas living on the rats that were regular passengers on merchant ships. Spreading throughout the Mediterranean and Europe, the Black Plague is estimated to have killed 30–60 percent of Europe's population. Reducing the worlds population to from an estimated 450 million to 350 and 375 million in the 14th century.
All in all the Middle Ages were not at all what we thought they were, it was really a very dangerous, harsh, and uncertain way of life.
All in all the Middle Ages were not at all what we thought they were, it was really a very dangerous, harsh, and uncertain way of life.