Serfs in the middle ages were generally peasant farmers who provided manual labor in their master’s land. The peasants would pay the lord some dues (in the form of labor) in exchange for using part of the lord’s land to generate their own food. These farmers would work in the lands at least three times … Read more

There was a very distinctive social class system during the Middle Ages.  Most Medieval people were peasants, over 90%, but the divide between peasants and nobility was very clear-cut.  Clergy were also an important part of the social order during the Middle Ages, though they were not necessarily considered a separate class. Royalty The Royalty … Read more

The Dark Ages is generally considered as the early medieval period of the European history. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Europe faced a drastic political, economic and social set back. The Dark Ages reflects the ill-consequences of this set back. This dark period started when the last Western Roman Emperor Romulus Augustulus was … Read more

Theatre in the Middle ages covered a wide variety of genres and subject matter.  Some of the most popular genres of plays in the Middle Ages include morality plays, farces, masques and drama.  Medieval drama began with religious and moral themed plays.  An early prominent Medieval playwright was Hrotsvit of Gardensheim of the 10th century.Some … Read more

The Middle Ages were a time of passionate warfare, chivalrous gallantry, and intense social entertainment. Tournaments in the Middle Ages were hosted and held on grand scales as displays of power, prowess, and skill. Typically, tournaments would be hosted by wealthy nobles who sought the prestige of backing such affairs. They would arrange battles and … Read more

Transportation in the Middle Ages was very much based on the methods and innovations that came before.  While the Romans showed innovation in building a network of roads across their Empire, the Middle Ages saw a decline in ease and access of transportation.The once prevalent interconnected roads and bridges system collapsed with the fall of … Read more

In a time dominated by the Church, troubadours became well-known secular entertainers moving beyond religious themes and exploring love and politics.  Troubadours rose to prominence in the High Middle Ages, which is generally considered to be 1100-1350; however, a majority of the surviving works date to what is referred to as the classical period (1180-1220). … Read more

Vassals in the Middle ages were those who held the land, called a fief, and owed service and allegiance to the lord who granted them that land.  The vassal was usually a knight or a baron, but could also be a member of the clergy or a trusted member of nobility.  Vassals in the Middle … Read more

Middle Ages Vikings usually meant Norse explorers, merchants, warriors or pirates.  Vikings were known to trade, explore, raid and settle across Europe, Asia and islands in the North Atlantic from the late 900s AD to the mid-1200s AD.  Vikings are often misrepresented or misremembered as larger than life figures, or killing machines that terrorized their … Read more

Contrary to the romanticized modern day depiction, the middle ages were quite a difficult and mundane time for the ordinary villager. Village life in the Middle Ages was marked by days that generally involved toiling in the fields and an occasional village celebration where both the lords and peasant would take a break from their … Read more