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
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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,
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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“...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.