Medieval Information

What was life like in a medieval castle? How did people manage to live? Was it, like some say, some sort of paradise? Were castles a good place to live in? Were there many diseases?

Health was a major concern during the Dark Ages as it was not good at all. Many babies died because of the lack of knowledge and proper equipment. This was the case for both the rich and the poor - which both suffered because of the improper knowledge given at the time.


Feudal System
It shall be noted that there were many different social classes. In the Medieval Times, nobles were a minority, they were very few but they possessed almost all the land. They had many vassals who defended their lords in exchange for fief.

Serfs were a majority of people. They were quasi-free peasants who had to work a designed land for his or her patron. This illustrates the hierarchy of those times:

Kings

Lords

Vassals

Serfs

This system of protection came to be known as "Feudalism." It played an enormous role in the life--and death--of medieval people. In times of peace, serfs would work the land. The goods produced would be given to his or her patron (the vassals). A small tax would then be paid to the lords, who would in turn pay another tax to their king.

This helped everyone. Lords gave land to their vassals, who protected everyone else. Feudalism was the most common way of living in the Dark Ages. Serfs were normally subject to very hard labor; including more than 12 hours of work each day.

Inside a castle, life and work was very different. It is a popular belief that during the Dark Ages, there wasn't art nor science. This is a conspicuous misconception. During times of peace; writers, painters, artisans, alchemists, bowyers; worked very hard inside their workshops. Alchemists in especial, dramatically improved our modern conception of Chemistry.

Since feudalism was very efficient at providing food at a massive level inside a castle; life was much different than on the outside. Women were supposed to be housekeepers; they normally taught their children all they needed to know in their earlier years; until they either found a tutor, or joined the army (normally at the age of 16).

Men had a very big array of job options at their disposal. Chefs, guards, farmers, soldiers were some of the most common jobs. A member of the middle class, was paid a wage which paid for his neccessities and more.

However, not everything was nice in the Medieval Times. Torture devises, plague, deaths, invading armies; were some of the most common causes of medieval discomfort. The church had an immense power over the citizens. The clergy controlled a vast percentage of the lands and people. Torture was a very common way to punish blasphemers and other religious offenders.

Plague was another major concern. Approximately every 100 years, there was a plague that would devastate whole towns and castles. Minor plagues were also frequent; killing thousands. Many laws were passed to improve a castle's sanity, building reservoirs and a good clean-up of specific areas such as a castle's kitchen.

Undoubtedly, what peasants feared the most was the threat of an invasion. The whole purpose of a castle was to stop this from happening, but when it happened; peasants would be stuck inside a castle for months. Serfs were brought inside the castle, making it very uncomfortable for the upper classes. When a castle was defeated, there were two possible outcomes:

1) The invaders took prisoners and later released them.

2) The interlopers killed everyone inside the castle, abusing women and children.

This was a major concern; and the reason for a castle's enormous walls.

Everything was based on life and hope. Faith and religion were the most basic beliefs. Everyone was sure about God's omnipotence. Nobody ever doubted in God and that's what marked medieval life. A struggle between the unconscious of men to decide true happiness was ensued.

Not everything was bad, however. Medieval villagers sought ways to be entertained - most notably the elderly, who made many stories based on popular folklore.