Marcial M. D Block

MIDDLE AGES

1377 A.D.

Royalty in the Middle ages was never up to debate, the heir to the throne was always the lord or lady’s son or daughter.

MARCIAL MACHADO

SOME OF THE IDEAS FEATURED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE:

Block: D

7 GROATS

~The Black Death ~Government ~Military

Crew: Blue

Issue #LIV

[1]

1337 A.D.

THE MEDIEVAL ERA

The Medieval Era was a very hard time, because people suffered from disease. The government unfair to the majority, and the military was expensive.

Learn about the government, military, and the BLACK DEATH

Most knights would only fight in small battles, such as a political disputes

KNIGHTS TO ARMS If you wanted to survive during the middle ages, you had to play your part. for some noble men and wealthy people, that was usually going head-first into battle.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind

though this is rarely the case. Knights would

when you hear “knights”? For some people it

undergo 3 stages; page, squire, and finally, a

might be slaying dragons and saving princesses.

knight. Becoming a knight was usually done with

For others it might be metal armor and battling.

a ceremony, and previous training would cost

Both of these aren’t necessarily correct. For

much, so only nobles and wealthy people could

larger battles, people had to plan exactly what

become one. Hand-to-hand combat wasn’t

was going to take place. This typically consisted

always used, though. When fighting a fortified

of a council of the war leaders, and could usually

building, one must have strong siege weapons.

be some kind of debate or a simple order given

For such battles, catapults and trebuchets were

from the council leader. The real meaning for

used, to break down castle walls, usually made

“knight” is a horsemen, and that was what they

of stone. “A new type of warfare called Siege

were. Rarely did they ever fight off-horse.

Warfare was waged to win a castle or a walled

During these times, weapons were also

town or city.”, says medieval-times-and-life.info.

very interesting. Infantry would be set on the

Heavy weapons, such as maces and clubs, were

outset of a battle to break out infantry

also used during combat. These were usually

formations. Knights themselves were also very

used to knock out the opponent, giving the

sophisticated. In books or movies, someone can

attacker the upper hand.

be knighted because he fought somewhere,

[2]

Above: a medieval-styled trebuchet made of wood.

Trebuchets were the main replacement for catapults. with a sling and weight, they had much more power.

ring around the rosy...

Ring around the rosy is a common

the Black Death, so around the 14th century. The usual garment of a plague doctor was a black robe with a bird mask,

song among all little kids, though its true

whose beak was filled with herbs. People

meaning may come as a surprise. “Ring

back then thought that the Black Death

around the rosy,” is explaining the most

was passed on through air, and these

noticeable symptom of the Black Death, a

herbs helped block it out.

Although the black death is

red spot with a black ring around it. To block the smell of corpse, people would

transported through fleas, it has been

have “pockets full of posies.” Because

discovered in the late 1800’s that it can,

there wasn’t much space for graves left,

though rarely, travel through air. During the

dead people would be burned to “ashes,

middle ages, lots of people thought that

ashes.” And, in the end, “we all fall down.”

the reason of the black death was a

Because this plague was killing so

BLACK DEATH

punishment from god to the christians, so

many, people needed doctors. During this

not only was this a time of disease, but

time, plague doctors were introduced.

also of murder. Non-believers and non-

Plague doctors were no ordinary doctors,

christians were killed once seen, because

theloveofhistory.com says “A plague

they thought that killing the heretics would

doctor was a special medical physician of

get rid of the plague. Not only that, but

the Middle Ages who saw those who had

normal physicists and doctors refused to

the bubonic plague.” These people were

see any patients. Anyone sick was ignored

usually hired by the town in order to help

fully.

people sick with the Black Death. Plague doctors came at about the same time as

The most noticeable symptom of the bubonic plague is black rings around red spots

top - a plague doctor with the herb filled bird mask. middle - a painting of a city being taken down by the bubonic plague. bottom - a common rat, the main mode of transportation for plague-filled fleas

[3]

SOCIAL LEVELS 1.) Priest/Clergy ___________________ 2.) Queen/King ___________________ 3.) Lord/Lady ___________________ 4.) Noble ___________________ 5.) Knight ___________________ 6.) Freemen/Peasants ___________________ 7.) Serfs ___________________ The feudal system in Europe was a system where the higher classes would provide for the lower classes, and the lower classes would provide for the higher classes. For example, a king will give a fief (or land) to one of his vassals, with a castle in it and space to farm. This vassal in return would give the king wealth, food, and protection.

medieval government The government of the Middle Ages

Another important part of survival during these times was Feudalism. The feudal system in Europe was a system

was completely dependent on 2 things;

where the higher classes would provide for

Manorialism and Feudalism. Manorialism

the lower classes, and the lower classes

was how each and every manor worked on

would provide for the higher classes. For

itself. Self-suďŹƒciency was very important.

example, a king will give a fief (or land) to

Because there were so many wars going

one of his vassals, with a castle in it and

on during the middle ages, there wasn’t

space to farm. This vassal in return would

any kind of trade, so each and every

give the king wealth, food, and protection.

kingdom had to support itself. For farming,

The feudal system would then keep

people would fallow 1 of the 3 fields they

working down the social ladder. Lords

usually had. Fallow is when they burn all

would give their knights food and

the crops in a field to let the ashes fertilize

protection, and in return the knights would

the soil. Another important part of

give them homage and military service.

Manorialism was the serfs. Being a serf

The knights would then give the serfs food

meant you were the lowest class, you were

and protection, and in return the serfs

pretty much a slave. No matter what the

would farm the land and pay rent.

job was, all serfs had to farm. The whole day of a serf was completely taken up by either working on the fields or working on their own jobs. Those who did not have their own job did nothing but farm all day.

Here is a picture of the feudal pyramid.

[4]

LETTER: FROM CRISPIN TO LADY FURNIVAL Dear Lady Furnival,

Dear Crispin,

I am now a freeman with my

I am surprised that you

friend Bear along my side. We make

learned how to write. It seems that jester

money by playing music and dancing.

of a friend did teach you something.

It has come to my attention you wanted

That’s all I have to say, you are not

me killed. You probably wish I was

worth my time and work.

killed during the Black Death. I really

With even more hate,

don’t like how serfs never get a say in

Lady Furnival

things. You should be overthrown.

With hate,

Crispin

We hoped you enjoyed! In this article, you should have learned a couple things about the Middle Ages. For starters, you should have learned a bit about Medieval military. You also should have gained knowledge on the Black Plague. Last of all, you should have gotten some info on Medieval government. Thank you for reading!

next issue: end of the middle ages, start of the renaissance!

[5]

Bibliography "Black Death." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <http:// www.history.com/topics/black-death>. this site helped me on the "ring around the rosy..." section.

"Government in the Middle Ages." Government in the Middle Ages. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <http://www.thefinertimes.com/Middle-Ages/government-in-the-middle-ages.html>.

This site helped me with the "medieval government" section.

"Medieval Warfare." & Medieval Arms. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <http:// www.medievalwarfare.info/>. This cite helped in the "knights to arms" section.

"Plague Doctor." The Love of History. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <http:// theloveforhistory.com/other/the-great-plague/plague-doctor/>. This site helped me on the "ring around the rosy..." part.

"Quest 3-Feudalism and Government." Ashlin/Coe 7th Grade Geography-Webquest. N.p., n.d.

Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <http://ashlinbsocialstudies.weebly.com/quest-3-Feudalism-andgovernment.html>. This site provided me with a picture of the feudal pyramid.

"Siege Warfare." Siege Warfare. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <http://www.medieval-life-andtimes.info/medieval-weapons/siege-warfare.htm>. This site helped me with the "knights to arms" section.

[6]

Lexicon Organizer ​

MEDIEVAL/D

Choose 20 words from your bookmark that BEST REFLECT the historical time period in which your ORGANIZE the words in ​ALPHABETICAL ORDER​!!!

Word

Part of Speech (noun, verb, adj)

Definition (in context with the story)

Sentence from book & Page #

How is this word meaningful to the time period of your book?

Explain.

1. ​Acolyte

noun

a person assisting “ ‘...and already in the celebrant in a robes. An religious service or acolyte​.’ ” pg. 83 procession -­ an assistant or follower.

acolytes and priests were some of the most powerful men in medieval times.

2. ​Apothecary

noun

someone who sells medicine, a medieval doctor.

“Bear indicated a doctor, a lawyer, and an apothecary​.”

we only have doctors and pharmacists now.

3. ​Avail

verb

Use or take advantage of an opportunity.

“Crossing paths with John Aycliffe brought no avail​…” pg. 3

avail is no longer used in modern english.

[7]

Lexicon Organizer ​

MEDIEVAL/D

Choose 20 words from your bookmark that BEST REFLECT the historical time period in which your b ORGANIZE the words in ​ALPHABETICAL ORDER​!!!

4. ​Bailiff

noun

A man of authority with a lower ranking than the reeve.

5. ​Bollock Dagger

noun

a type of dagger “A ​bollock dagger with a distinctively was fastened to shaped shaft, with his hip.” pg. 62 two oval swellings at the guard resembling male testes ("bollocks")

6. ​Dire

adjective

a situation, thing, or event that is extremely dangerous or intense.

“Yet my fear of the dire is sometimes open road was just sprinkled into as ​dire​.” pg. 52 conversation, though it is not normally used.

7. ​Farthing

noun

a small form of currency-­one of the lowest forms of payment.

“...was a penny each day, mine but a ​farthing​.” pg. 12

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“I was just about to emerge from the woods and run toward our hut when I caught sight of the ​bailiff​, Roger Kinsworthy, and the reeve, Odo Langland.” pg. 15

we have cops, bailiffs were unique to the middle ages.

we don’t usually use this kind of weapon, nonetheless a dagger.

A farthing is a form of currency that was extremely common in the medieval times.

Lexicon Organizer ​

MEDIEVAL/D

Choose 20 words from your bookmark that BEST REFLECT the historical time period in which your ORGANIZE the words in ​ALPHABETICAL ORDER​!!!

8. ​Glaives

noun

another word for “swords”

“...it was surrounded by a group of men armed with glaives​.” pg. 140

9. ​Heretic

noun

someone who goes against the church’s beliefs, usually sentenced to life in prison or death.

“...I’d denounce These days, there you for a liar and a is now freedom of heretic​.” pg. 100 religion, but back then if you weren’t catholic, you were considered evil.

10. ​Implore

verb

to beg for something “ ‘... I ​implore ​Thy desperately. blessed help, or I am undone.’ ” pg.

21

In dialogue, we no longer use this kind of language, instead we would say something like “plead” or “beg”.

11. ​Manor

noun

a large country house with lands;; the principal house of a landed estate.

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“In the absence of Lord Furnival he was in charge of the ​manor​…” pg.

3

no one uses a swords in combat, and no one calls them “glaives” either.

Lexicon Organizer ​

MEDIEVAL/DARK AG

Choose 20 words from your bookmark that BEST REFLECT the historical time period in which your book takes p ORGANIZE the words in ​ALPHABETICAL ORDER​!!!

12.​Pilgrim

noun

someone who travels to someplace sacred for their own religious reasons.

“ ‘That one is a pilgrim​’ he said, pointing to a man walking very slowly, his head down.” pg 139

usually we don’t refer to people as pilgrims, just travelers.

13. ​Portcullis

noun

a strong, heavy grating sliding up and down in vertical grooves, lowered to block a gateway to a castle.

“Behind them, a portcullis​ had been raised halfway up...” Pg. 144

this form of entry is no longer used in modern architecture.

14. ​Reeve

noun

Someone who looks over what everyone is doing -­ the manor official

“I was just about to emerge from the woods and run toward our hut when I caught sight of the bailiff, Roger Kinsworthy, and the ​reeve​, Odo Langland.” pg. 15

we have cops, reeves were unique to the middle ages.

[10]

Lexicon Organizer ​

MEDIEVAL/DARK

Choose 20 words from your bookmark that BEST REFLECT the historical time period in which your book tak ORGANIZE the words in ​ALPHABETICAL ORDER​!!!

15. ​Saint Arnulf

proper noun

Saint Arnulf of Metz was a Frankish bishop of Metz and advisor to the Merovingian court of Austrasia, who retired to the Abbey of Remiremont.

“ ‘By the name of Saint Arnulf​ the King,’ He said…” pg. 74

saint Arnulf isn’t necessarily known now a days, and isn’t exactly used in context.

16. ​Saint Remigius

proper noun

Bishop of Reims and “ ‘In the name of Apostle of the Saint Remigius​, Franks,. On 24 why?’ ” pg. 106 December 496 he baptised Clovis I, King of the Franks.

Saint Remigius was a saint from the early middle ages, and isn’t that well-­known now.

17. ​Saint Giles

proper noun

Saint Giles was a Greek Christian hermit saint from Athens, whose legend is centered in Provence and Septimania.

[11]

“...and most of all just like saint my blessed Saint remigius, he is not Giles, for mercy, well-­known. guidance, comfort, and protection.” pg. 50

Lexicon Organizer ​

MEDIEVAL/D

Choose 20 words from your bookmark that BEST REFLECT the historical time period in which your b ORGANIZE the words in ​ALPHABETICAL ORDER​!!!

18.​ ​Saint Gregory proper noun

Pope Gregory I, commonly known as Saint Gregory the Great, was Pope from 3 September 590 to his death in 604. Gregory is well known for his writings, which were more prolific than those of any of his predecessors as pope.

19. ​Sermon

noun

ject, especially one “ ‘What think you given during a of ​that​ ​sermon​?’ “ church service and pg. 65 based on a passage from the Bible.

holy things such as this were important back then.

20. ​Thy

pronoun

an old form of “your”, possesion of the person being directly referenced.

nobody usually uses “thy” in context anymore, unless trying to sound like a medieval character.

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“ ‘...the wondrous music of ​Saint Gregory​…’ ” pg.

67

“...I implore ​Thy blessed help, or I am undone.” pg.

21

just like Saint Giles, he is not well-­known.