medieval daily life
when did medieval day start and end
the day began at at sunrise and ended at dusk. in the summer, this could be as early as 3 am in the summer
Why were castles built on high ground or cliffs?
Elevated locations forced attacking armies to battle both defenders and gravity. It gave archers a wider line of sight, restricted the deployment of siege weapons like trebuchets, and made it near-impossible for attackers to use scaling ladders effectively.
did medieval kings have full power
Kings ruled under the concept of the "Divine Right of Kings" which claimed they were ordained by God
Who held the power in the feudal system?
The Monarch, King or Queen held ultimate power and owned all the land in the kingdom.
who was in charge
The pope,who lived in Rome, was the supreme head of the Church. He held authority over all bishops, priests, monks, and nuns.
what where the main jobs?
farming,livestock,building fences,repairing tools, and spinning wool.
What was a "kill box" and how did it work?
Castle gatehouses were designed as multi-barrier traps. If attackers managed to break through the initial drawbridge, they were trapped in a narrow, walled-in passage where defenders could rain down boiling water, burning pitch, or rocks from ceiling openings that were called murder holes.
How did someone actually become a king?
passing the crown to the eldest son or closest royal relative. However, this didn’t guarantee a smooth transition.
Monarchs, Lords and Nobles, Knights, Peasants, and Serfs
How did the Church control kings?
Through excommunication. If a monarch disputed the Church, the Pope could ban them from receiving the sacraments, effectively damning their soul and releasing their subjects from loyalty.
did all children go to school?
no, education was mostly exclusively for the wealthy or those entering the clergy.
Why did castle towers change from square to round?
Early square towers had weak, vulnerable corners that could be easily damaged by heavy projectiles or systematically collapsed by miners. Round or cylindrical tower deflected stones, eliminated blind spots, and provided better structural integrity.
How did kings control their kingdoms?
They used the feudal system. The king theoretically owned all the land in the realm. He divided this land among his most loyal, high-ranking lords and barons.
Peasants were generally free laborers who could move around and own property, whereas serfs were legally bound to the land. Serfs could not leave the manor, marry, or own property without the lord’s permission
What is a tithe?
it is a mandatory tax paid by all christians.
how did people keep their dental and daily hygeine up?
people would clean their teeth by rubbing them with rough linen cloths and paste made of ashes. they would take baths mostly once a week.
How did archers shoot from inside the castle safely?
Archers utilized arrow loops which were narrow on the outside to prevent enemy projectiles from getting in, but flared wide on the insideto give the defender a generous range of motion
the church, money, and the law
What were fiefs and vassalage?
A fief was a tract of land granted by a monarch or lord to a vassal. A vassal was anyone who received this land and, in return, pledged loyalty and military support to the lord or king who granted it
What were the sacraments?
Seven sacred rites administered by the Church (such as Baptism, Marriage, and the Eucharist) that were believed to be essential for gaining salvation and entering heaven.
How did cities with thousands of people handle human waste without sewage system?
People used things called privies that emptied into cesspools beneath their houses. People were paid massive wages to clean these pits out, but by law.
How did a moat protect a castle?
Moats surrounding a castle prevented enemy armies from tunneling beneath the walls and forced attackers to cross via narrow, highly vulnerable bridges or boats. Dry moats were sometimes filled with sharpened stakes.
What were the origins of Parliaments?
Because medieval kings couldn't legally levy new taxes or change laws on a whim, they had to call great assemblies of nobles, bishops, and eventually representatives from urban merchant societies.
The rise of currency, the Black Death, urbanization.
Why was the local church important?
Parish churches served as the social and geographical center of village life, providing charity, shelter, and communal gatherings.