medieval

🧍‍♂️📉 5. Social discrimination Discrimination also occurred because: Religion (Jews, Muslims, pagans) Being a foreigner Being poor Being a bastard (not recognized by father) Being a single woman Lower strata had less legal value. 👑 6. Nobility vs. people The nobles believed they were “superior” because: God had given them that right, His blood was “purer”, They had military lineages. Peasants were considered ignorant and disposable. 🩸 7. Different punishments A nobleman: He paid fines. A peasant: He was hanged, mutilated, or tortured. 🧬 8. Ideas that sustained the system It was repeated: “That’s what God wanted.” “Your place is predestined.” These beliefs perpetuated inequality.

1. Machismo Medieval society was profoundly patriarchal: 👨‍⚕️ Gender roles The man was considered the "head of the household". He decided on finances, marriage, education, and inheritance. He had legal authority over his wife and children. 👩‍🦰 Woman Their social role was to marry, obey, have children, and take care of the home. Very few could study or inherit land. If she was born out of wedlock, she was harshly judged. Female honor was linked to virginity. 🧙‍♀️ Witchcraft Many women were accused of being witches: Because they knew about medicinal herbs, Or for being independent. These accusations were a form of social control. 🏰 2. Classism The Middle Ages was the age of classism because society was stratified: ☑️ If you were born poor, you died poor There was no social mobility: King and nobles = privileges Clergy = culture and spiritual power Peasants = perpetual poverty The nobles viewed the peasants as inferior. 💰 Prestige through blood and land A person's worth was defined by: Lineage Qualification Property Family purity It took centuries for the bourgeoisie to gain respect. ⛓️ 3. Slavery Yes, slavery existed, although it varied by region: Western Europe There were serfs (semi-slaves): they could not leave lands without permission. They had to work for the feudal lord their whole lives. They were not the legal owners of their bodies. Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean World Slavery was more direct (Romans, Byzantines, Arabs). Prisoners of war were sold. Church He accepted slavery as a moral punishment, although he encouraged good treatment. 🧑🏿‍🌾 4. Black people in the Middle Ages They were not common in Northern Europe, but they did exist: 🌍 Contacts Trade with Africa (Sahara, Ethiopia, Sudan, Mali). African soldiers in Muslim armies. Black merchants in port cities. 👑 Representation Many medieval paintings feature: Black Wise Men, African knights, Black Christian saints.

15. Architecture Romanesque Thick walls Small windows Gothic High cathedrals Giant stained glass windows Pointed arches ⚰️ 16. Punishments Physical and public punishments: Whipping Scaffold Bonfire (heresy) Traps They serve as an example. 🎉 17. Parties and entertainment Knights' tournaments Religious festivals Fairs Minstrels (music and theater) 🏗️ 18. Technology Few innovations at the start: Heavy plow Horseshoe Windmills and watermills Printing press (near the end) 🌍 19. International Relations Many conflicts: Rival fiefdoms England vs France Muslims vs Christians Mongols in the east Trade with Asia brings silk and spices.

5. Religion The Catholic Church dominated everything: Political and social life Customs: Not believing could lead to trial (Inquisition). Religions defined: Calendar Parties Moral

Daily life Small villages surrounding a castle. Wooden houses, thatched roofs. Lots of dirt, diseases. Average lifespan: 30–40 years. The night was dangerous (without streetlights).

7. Nutrition Based on: Bread Beer or wine Vegetables, legumes. Meat was a luxury of nobles. People ate with their hands or a knife; not everyone had a fork.

8. Clothing Nobles: Fine fabrics, vibrant colors. Jewelry, embroidery. Peasants: Linen, wool. Dull (cheap) colors.

Education and science Very few people knew how to read. Monasteries copied books. Knowledge based on religion. Towards the end: Universities are founded. They study medicine, philosophy, and law.

Art and culture Arabesque, Gothic and Romanesque: Pointed arches enormous cathedrals Stained glass windows Epic literature and songs: The Song of Roland Mio Cid The music was either religious or performed by minstrels. ⚱️ 12. Diseases and medicine Very primitive: People believed in bodily humors. Severe plagues (Black Death). Barber-surgeons. Hygiene was minimal. 👑 13. Politics Disintegrated kingdoms. Slowly, modern countries are formed: France Spain England Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire continued until 1453. 🧙‍♂️ 14. Beliefs and superstitions Witchcraft Demons Miracles Astrology Relics Science was mixed with religion and myth.

The Middle Ages begins with the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD) and ends with the fall of Constantinople (1453), Columbus's voyages (1492) or the invention of printing (around 1450), depending on the historian. It is divided into: Early Middle Ages (5th–11th centuries): chaos, invasions, formation of kingdoms. Late Middle Ages (12th–15th centuries): trade, cities, culture.

2. Social organization Society was stratified (you were born and died in the same class): A) Nobility Kings, feudal lords, dukes, counts. Landowners lived in castles. Warriors and administrators. B) Clergy Priests, monks, bishops. They controlled religion, education, and spiritual power. Many knew how to read and write. C) Peasantry The majority of the population. They worked the lord's land in exchange for protection. They lived in poverty. D) Bourgeoisie (towards the end) Merchants, artisans in cities. They gain importance through trade.

Feudal system The most common form of government. The king granted land (fiefs) to lords. The lords protected and organized. The peasants worked for them. The vassals swore loyalty.

4. Military and wars Knights in armor and sworn to honor. Fortified castles. Battles on horseback and on foot. The Crusades (religious wars) marked the era.