Medieval People
The King: The king
was the most important person during the Middle Ages. In fact according
to the *feudal system he was the highest person. Even though
the king was a very important man he had to have a way to maintain his
position. He did. A smart king would give gifts to his noblemen. A king
also had to have a way to have a way to control his nobility. He had that
to. He would lead his army into battles and waging successful wars. A kings
vassals (lords) served loyalty, advice, and armed support to their kings.
In return, the king gave them wealth and mini-kingdoms called fiefdoms.A
vassal also had vassals of their own. Usually when a king says something,
people listen. But he still needs a staff of officials to make sure his orders
were carried out. William I of England ruled that way.He was even called
William the Conqueror because he made sure that people followed his orders
and got things done. A kings position was not always secure. Over the years,
some barons grew wealthy enough to rival the king, forcing him to grant
favors. King John of England found himself in that position. To stay king,
he had to make a speech of promises. Part of his speech was "no freeman
shall be arrested except by the law of the land. We shall refuse justice
to no one."
* Feudal System was
the system where the pheasants gave taxes to their lords, and the lords
gave taxes to their kings.
The Medievel people were all experts on trading manufactured
and raw goods with each other. There was no official money, but
gold was rather popular. In a medievel town, there were always 3
things that it had.
1. A market place for people to
trade goods including food, wood (and other materials used to make
homes), and weapons.
2. A large neighborhood with houses
of lumber.
3. A castle where the town's royalty
lived along with the mighty army of knights.
All occupants of the town had one thing in
common; they wanted to have a good time. Festivals and feasts and
tournaments were all very popular. Festivals were a time of celebration
and fun. Performers and circuses all took the spotlight. Feasts usually
accompanied festivals along with knight tournamentssuch as jousting,
where knights sit atop a horse and charge at each other with weapons draw
while trying to knock their apponent of their horse. Tournements were a way of entertainment and enrollment.
The best of the knights competed against each other. The winners were
enrolled to the king's army's leaders while losers were their soldiers. Feasts were times of feasting on all the good food
from various parts of the land, it was a time for everyone to get together
to eat and drink the night (and/or) day away.
Created
by Stephen H. and Meghan M.
