Medieval Period

There are many aspects of the Middle Ages that I found surprising after watching the mini movies in Medieval Lives. I found a couple aspects of the peasant's life very surprising. When you think of a peasant, you think of a poor, hard worker who didn't have any connections to royalty. But it turns out that notion is wrong; peasants are landless laborers because they have to give a certain number of days of labor to the lord. This feudal burden was usually 50-60 days a year of labor. In return, the Lord had to give his peasants two feasts a year. Another thing I found surprising was that when the Lord went away, they make the peasants look after and do their political work. So the peasants gained a lot of knowledge about the governmental system and the feudal society as a whole, and it allowed them to lead a very well organized and planned out revolt in England. Even though they seemed dirty and poor (which in some ways they were), they were also smart when it comes to certain opportunities. I also found aspects of the Knights life very surprising and disturbing.

When you think of a knight, most people will think of a knight in shinning armor… the hero who saves the damsel in distress. Who is handsome and kind, and just wants true love. Well, I learned that is not the case with medieval knights. They were violent and destructive; because of that, chivalry was invented. Chivalry is the code of behavior for knights to be governed by. But chivalry can be described by 3 words: fighting, fame, and fortune. I found this very surprising. I think this reality differs from the common perceptions about medieval knights and their motives.

The element of life in the middle ages that I would find most challenging or difficult to endure would be how very patriarchal the society of the time was. I grew up in a family and environment where women made all the decisions and ruled the house, so the fact women had to stand in the backgrounds and let men make