Lecture Notes: Everyday Life in the High Middle Ages

Location and Historical Context

• Modern-Day London: Lecture begins in London near Westminster Abbey.
• Westminster Abbey: Burial site for many notable figures, including:
  • Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots.
  • Henry VII.
  • Poets' Corner: Final resting place for literary figures like Alfred Tennyson, Charles Dickens, and Geoffrey Chaucer.

Geoffrey Chaucer

• Canterbury Tales:
  • Offers a rich depiction of medieval life.
  • Features a variety of characters, challenging stereotypes.
  • Characters like the Wife of Bath and the Miller illustrate social diversity.

Understanding Medieval Life

• High Middle Ages: Post year 1000, marked by cultural and societal changes.
  • Widespread adoption of Christianity.
  • Decrease in invasions and wars.
  • A "golden age" of intellectual, technological, and societal flourishing (1000-1300).

Faith and Religion

• Misconceptions: Faith was not forced upon an illiterate population.
  • Church aimed to educate and guide, not coerce.
  • Oral tradition culture valued memory and storytelling.
• Rituals and Sacraments: Integral to daily life.
  • Frequent Mass and Eucharistic services.
  • Numerous feast and memorial days.

Everyday Life and Work

• Agrarian Society: Majority lived on farms in small villages.
  • Communal living with shared resources.
  • Cities were smaller than classical or modern standards.

Social Structure

• Freedmen vs Serfs:
  • Freedmen were independent workers.
  • Serfs were bound to land and lord but had stability and security.
• Authority and Security: Authority was seen as a form of security, not just oppression.

Urban Life

• Urban Centers: Bustling with commerce and trade.
  • Shops and artisans lined streets.
  • Guilds played a vital role in economic and social structure.

Guild System

• Apprenticeship: Training from apprentice to journeyman to master.
  • Ensured quality and conformity of trades.
  • Guilds had social and economic influence.

Marriage and Death

• Marriage: Predominantly economic arrangements.
  • Dowry system ensured women's security.
• Life Expectancy: Low due to lack of medical knowledge.
  • High child and maternal mortality rates.
  • Frequent early deaths accepted as part of life.

Conclusion

• Medieval Life: Rich and varied, yet harsh by modern standards.
  • Common threats included death, famine, and disease.
  • Despite challenges, life was vibrant and full of social and cultural richness.