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A quick guide to the Middle Ages

A quick guide to the Middle Ages ()

The Middle Ages is also known as the Medieval Ages. This was a time period in Europe from 500 AD (or CE) to 1500 AD (or CE). It was a time of kings, queens, knights and castles. Here are some fast facts about the era.

People and places during the Middle Ages all had a very particular role

People and places during the Middle Ages all had a very particular role ()

Who’s Who in the Middle Ages?

Royalty: The king and queen were the most powerful people in the country. They would give fiefs to the nobility. Fief is just a fancy way of saying pieces of land to build houses and farms on.

Nobility: People who paid taxes and rent to the king and queen. Usually a man called a lord was in control of their own fief. They also had to give the king soldiers when he asked.

Page: At age 7, a boy could become a page and start to train to be a knight. He was sent to live with another family. He learned how to ride a horse, use a sword and dance. It was expensive. So, only boys from families with a lot of money could become knights.

Squire: At age 14, a page could become a squire. He learned how to fight on horseback and went into battle with the lord. In battle, he would look after the lord’s weapons and his horse. 

Knight: At age 21, squires could become knights. They fought in battles. They took part in jousting tournaments.

Peasants: People who had less money than nobility and knights. Sometimes they owned small businesses like making swords or baking bread. They had more money and freedom than serfs.

Serf: A serf worked on the fief for their lord. They had to work on the fief until they could afford to pay off the debt they owed.

Parts of a Castle

Moat: People dug a wide and deep trench in the ground around the castle. Then, it was filled with water. This kept people out and helped fortify the castle.

Drawbridge: The bridge was lowered over the moat or ditch. This let people in or kept them out.

Arrow Loops: These were very skinny windows. Archers defended the castle by shooting arrows from behind the loops.

Dungeons: This is where they kept prisoners. It was cold, wet and dark.

Bailey: This area had churches and stables. It also had servants’ areas and kitchens.

Tower: People looked out from the tower to make sure no danger was coming.

Old Medieval Words You Can Use

Groke: To look at someone when they are eating in hopes they give you some food. Dogs are known to groke.

Wit: To know something. Ask someone, “Do you wit what day it is?”

Elflock: Tangled hair. The name comes from hair that has been tangled by elves.

Clinomania: A strong want to stay in bed.

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Tamala Malerk is a writer and editor with Stars and Stripes Europe. She has been with SSE since April 2022 writing articles all about travel, lifestyle, community news, military life and more. In May 2022, she earned her Ph.D. in History and promises it is much more relevant to this job than one might think.

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