Wednesday, March 9, 2011

15 Fascinating Facts In Medieval Time!!!

1. The famous Battle of Hastings did not take place in Hastings! It was actually waged at Senlac Hill – which is about 6 miles (10km) north-west of Hastings. “The battle at Senlac Hill” certainly doesn’t have the same ring to it as “The Battle of Hastings”!

2. One of the earliest versions of the London Bridge was destroyed in 1014 when the Saxons rowed up the Thames, tied ropes to it, and pulled it down! This helped regain London for the Anglo-Saxon king against the Danes. It is possible that this event may have been the inspiration for the nursery rhyme “London Bridge is falling down”.

3. Berengaria of Navarre was the Queen of England by her marriage to King Richard The Lionheart. Little is known of her life – but what is known is that she is the only Queen of England never to step foot in England! The entire time that she was married to Richard, she lived in Europe. In fact, Richard himself only spent about 6 months in England as he was so busy traveling on crusader business.

4. In 1086, 10% of the population recorded in the Domesday Book (a large census) were slaves. In some areas, there were as many as 20%.

5. England used to be the native home of Brown Bears, but they became extinct around the 11th century. In latter parts of the Middle Ages, the bears were imported into England for sport.

6. There is much evidence to suggest that King Richard I (the Lionheart) was a homosexual. There is a possibility that he met his wife Berenegaria whilst in a sexual relationship with her brother, the future King Sancho VII of Navarre. It is also reported that he and King Philip II of France were involved. A historian of the time, Roger of Hoveden said they “ate from the same dish and at night slept in one bed” and had a “passionate love between them”.

7. It was not uncommon in England during the medieval period, for animals to be put on trial for crimes. Animals could be sentenced to death if found guilty of their crimes. Take that PETA!

8. The Middle English term “pygg” referred to a type of clay. In the middle ages, people would often keep coins in jars or pots made of pygg – these were called “pygg jars”. By the 18th century, with the evolution of language, these came to be known as a “pig bank” or “piggy bank”.

9. Contrary to popular belief, medieval English people bathed quite regularly in public baths designed for that purpose. This was due to the belief that “cleanliness is next to Godliness”. Public baths were eventually opposed by the Protestants in the 16th century because of prostitution being common there.

10. Most common folk had to produce their own food. For this reason rye and barley bread was common amongst the poor who could not afford the large quantities of manure needed to grow wheat for white bread.

11. Trial by ordeal was common in England in the middle ages. In this trial, the accused would be subjected to a very painful task (such as being burnt by a hot iron) – if they survived the trial, or their wounds healed quickly, they would be found not guilty as it was believed that God had performed a miracle to help the accused. The Catholic Church forbade participation in these trials and demanded the use of compurgation instead. Compurgation was the taking of an oath of innocence by the accused which 12 peers must believe.

12. One bizarre recipe for a medicine to protect against the plague involved drinking ale that has had crushed roasted egg shells, leaves and petals of marigold flowers, and treacle added to it. Needless to say this was not particularly effective.

13. The Barber’s pole symbolizes blood and bandages, as most barbers also performed the roles of surgeons and dentists in their towns. Bandages stained with blood would be washed and hung from a pole outside the barber’s shop – these would then twist in the wind to form the spiral pattern we are all familiar with today. Macabre but true.

14. Prior to the introduction of surnames in England in 1066, everyone born had just one name. When surnames were introduced they would often include a nickname – such as Robert Red (symbolic of his hair color). If Robert went bald over time, his name could change to “Robert Ball” (ball meaning bald in Middle English). In time, the system evolved to a point where people would take the same name as their father – giving us the modern surname system.

15. Contrary to popular belief, gargoyles were not added to Churches and buildings to ward off evil spirits – they were drain pipes! True gargoyles project out of a wall (decorative monsters are not gargoyles) and rain water flows out their mouths away from the building, rather than down the side of the building causing damage. Their true purpose can be seen quite clearly in the photograph above of St Mary’s Church in Adderbury. Gargoyles can be found all over Great Britain and are visible on virtually every Church built there during the middle ages.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Medieval Times Entertainment

Medieval Entertainment
Medieval Entertainment was extremely important to people who lived in the Medieval era. Medieval entertainment was popular whenever there was something to celebrate! A betrothal, wedding, victories and festivals. Court entertainment was regular, often a nightly occurrence combined with feasts, jousts and banquets. But the poor people enjoyed entertainment from travelling minstrels and troubadours, tournaments, dancing and trained animals, mummers (dancers), mystery plays, jugglers and strolling players.
Types of Medieval Entertainment
Types of Medieval Entertainment and were as follows:
  • Feasts - A large, elaborately prepared meal, usually for many persons and often accompanied by court entertainment. Often celebrated religious festivals
  • Banquets - A ceremonial dinner honoring a particular guest
  • Jousts / Tournaments - A series of tilting matches between knights
  • Mystery Plays - Re-enacting stories from the Bible
  • Festivals - Celebrating the lives of Saints
  • Fairs - The Annual Summer Fair was often a bawdy affair
  • Games and Sports - Sports and games which included archery, bowling, dice, hammer-throwing, quarter-staff contests, quoits, skittles and wrestling
  • Animal Sports - Including Bear and Bull baiting. Dog and Cock fighting
  • Hunting  - Sport followed by the nobility often using dogs
  • Hawking - Sport followed by the nobility with hawks
Medieval Entertainers
The Names and Types of Medieval Entertainment were as follows:
  • Jesters - A fool or buffoon at medieval courts
  • Mummers - A masked or costumed merrymaker or dancer especially at a festival
  • Minstrels - Travelling musician who sang of legends
  • Troubadours - Travelling musician who sang of courtly love
  • Strolling Players - Travelling actors
  • Jugglers - Also used tricks, deception, or fraud
Medieval Entertainment - Religious Feasts, Fairs and Festivals
Medieval people loved entertainment! The more entertainment the better! Feasts Fairs and Festivals were all common occurrences and were celebrated during specific times of the year most of which were dictated by the Church and religious festivals. A calendar of Medieval entertainment in terms of religious feasts, fairs and festivals is detailed as follows:
  • January Medieval Entertainment - Twelfth Night Religious festival and feasts celebrating the visit of the Wise Men, or Magi, following the birth of Jesus
  • February Medieval Entertainment - St Valentine's Day! The Medieval festival celebrating love - singing, dancing and pairing games
  • March Medieval Entertainment - Easter celebrated by the Mystery plays depicting the crucifixion
    ( Good Friday) and the resurrection ( Easter Monday )
  • April Medieval Entertainment - All Fool's Day. The Jesters, or Lords of Misrule, took charge for the day and caused mayhem with jokes and jests!
  • May Day Medieval Entertainment - Summer festival celebrating May Day when a Queen of the May was chosen and villagers danced around the maypole
  • June Medieval Entertainment - Midsummer Eve, the Mummers entertained at the 'Festival of Fire' reliving legends such as St George and the Dragon. Bones were often burned leading to the term 'bonfire'. The summer Solstice was June 23rd
  • July Medieval Entertainment - Swithin's Day falls on 15th July. Legend says that during the bones of St Swithin were moved and after the ceremony it began to rain and continued to do so for forty days
  • August Medieval Entertainment - Lammas Day was celebrated on August 2nd. The ' loaf-mass ' day, the festival of the first wheat harvest of the year. Houses were sometimes decorated with garlands. Candle lit processions and apple-bobbing was featured!
  • September Medieval Entertainment - 29th September was when Michaelmas celebrated the life of St Michael and the traditional food on Michaelmas was goose or chicken
  • October Medieval Entertainment - October 25th celebrating St Crispin's Day. Revels and bonfires and people acted as 'King Crispin'
  • November Medieval Entertainment - The Day of the Dead - All Souls Day or All Hallow's Day
    ( Halloween ) when revels were held and bonfires were lit
  • December Medieval Entertainment - The feasts and Christmas celebrations
The Feasts, Fairs and Festivals were all held at the same time of year giving Medieval people something to look forward to in their everyday Medieval lives.
Medieval Dances
M
edieval dance music dates from the 12th and 13th centuries. The carole was the most popular dance-song which could be danced in a circle, in a chain, or as a processional. Our modern Christmas Carols are derived from this practice. Names of famous Medieval dances enjoyed in Medieval entertainment include the following:
  • Cinque-pace
  • Galliard
  • Pavane
  • Roundel
  • Tordion
  • Volta
Medieval Entertainment
So This section regarding Medieval entertainment provides a full over view with facts and information about  of Medieval Merry making!

Medieval Time Cluture

Medieval CultureIn the feudal system society was organized as a pyramid of sorts. The clergy and nobles were at the top, with a great many peasants at the bottom. Peasants worked on the land and lived in rough huts, which they often shared with their animals. They slept on straw mattresses on the floor. In the middle were the scientists, merchants, craftsmen and yeoman farmers.
Dante
Dante, crowned with poet's laurel, opens his Divine Comedy
as souls struggle heavenward through Purgatory.
I5th-century fresco in the city's cathedral; Scala. Domenico di Michelino
The Middle Ages also gave much to later generations. Great cathedrals were built and universities were started. Latin was the language used by most scholars. Painting and literature developed.
Philosophy
Thomas Aquinas believed that both reason and Christian teaching came from God. Therefore, both reason and faith came from the same teaching.
Code of Chivalry
King Arthur and his knights became the highest symbols of courage, faith, and chivalry.
The Troubadours
The Troubadours were noble poet-musicians who pledged to serve their ladies as loyally as they would their lords.
Women
Attitudes towards women changed. Now, women were treated with respect. But, women were seen as helpless, beautiful, and pure - unrealistic.
Science
Medieval science was limited because science was not just reason and observation. Scientific theories continued to be mixed with superstition and legend. Most medieval scientists practiced the mysteries of alchemy (trying to turn lead into gold).
Merchants
Merchants bought and sold goods such as furs and wool. Some became very wealthy and started the first banks. Merchants and craftsmen formed powerful associations called guilds. They sold their goods at fairs where people gathered to trade and to have fun.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Some Glossary About Medieval Time!!!

Glossary:
·          Beheading: severing of the head from the body.
·          Clergy: trained church officials.
·          Constable: lowest rank of police officer; an unpaid, untrained, unpopular position in the Middle Ages.
·          Convent: a place where nuns live and parties  their religious beliefs.
·          Domesday Book: survey of England drawn up but William the Conqueror in 1086.
·          Ducking Stool: a see-saw-like structure to which a person wastied before being ducked three times in water.
·          Epidemic: a disease affecting large numbers of people.
·          Feudal System: a medieval socail and politicalsystem based on land ownership, taxes, loyalty and military service.
·          Friars: males who undertook religious vows of proverty to help the needy.
·          Globet: a metal drinking vessel shaped like a wine glass.
·          Heir: a person who suceeds another to position or property.
·          Hung, Drawn And Quartered: a guilty person hanged, disembollelled, behead and the body hacked into four quarters.
·          Jester: A joker, juggler, actor and acrobatic performer and entertainer in royal or noble household.
·          Knight: a noble dubbed into service of the king.
·          Latin: the offical language used by the ancient Romans and throughout their empire.
·          Manor: a territory owened by a lord.
·          Manuscript: a book or document written by hand.
·          Minstrel: a musician who sang or read poetry.
·          Monastery: a place where monks live and practise their religious beliefs.
·          Monks: males who live according to rules of particular religious orders and under vows of poverty, chastity and obendience.
·          Nef: a silver boat-shaped salt container.
·          Noble: a person who inherited land and/or was given a title.
·          Norman: a person from Normandy, France.
·          Nuns: a female who live according to rules of particular religious orders and under vows of poverty, chastity and obendience.
·          Oath: a appeal to God.
·          Pillory: a wooden framework for securing head and hands.
·          Plate: a particular falt sheete on which a story is told.
·           Priest: a minister of religion.
·          Sanitation: the practice of talking precautions against disease.
·          Saxons: members of a Germanic people (from Saxony) who invaded and occupied part of Britian from the third century.
·          Scold’s Bridle: a headpiece placed on a person as punishment.
·          Sterile: Free from germs.
·          Stocks: instrument of punishment with holes to secure ankles.
·          Subtletys: decorations made from sugar, marzipan, flour and jellies in the shape of people, animals or religious scenes.
·          Tapestry: fabric on which coloured threads are woven to produce a design or picture.
·          Tithe: a tax paid to the Church.
·          Treason: disloyalthy to the king or queen.

The Introduction Of Medieval Times Torture!!!

Torture was frequently employed during the Middle Ages to punish criminals and extract confessions. Hundreds of devices were used including The Rack and The Chair.

Even though thousands died in unimaginably painful ways, torture wasn't as frequent as most of us believe. During the Inquisition only 1 or 2 percent of the heretics or criminals were subject to long periods of torture - the rest were simply incarcerated or punished in other ways.

Most medieval towns had a council to determine a person's guilt. Only in the most severe of cases, such as murder or treason, was the victim tortured. In the majority of cases he was incarcerated or simply vanished from the town and never allowed back.

In bigger cities such as London the law was more harshly enforced. Many castles had torture chambers, usually located in the dungeon or tallest tower, where many could be tortured at the same time. Burning at the stake and other methods were not the Sunday spectacle we think. When they happened, they often occurred inside the castle - away from the population. When a town was becoming rebellious, open acts of torture frequently occurred.

The Middle Ages were not a period one would like to live in, but they were not extremely unfair and bloodthirsty either. Many towns never tortured a person, resorting to banishment instead. On the contrary, many leaders used torture extremely frequently such as Vlad the Impaler.

Judas Cradle - The Judas Cradle is a very painful torture. The victim was seated on a triangular-shaped seat where he or she was slowly impaled.

Coffin Torture - The coffin torture - a very cruel medieval device where the victim was locked for hours or longer.


The Brazen Bull - The brazen bull was a terrible torture device used in ancient Greece and throughout the Middle Ages.


The Rack Torture - The rack is commonly referred as the most painful medieval torture of them all.


The Water Torture - There were many ways to punish a victim with the use of water. This article explains the most common forms of such torture.


Exposure - A terrible torture that was often deadly. The exposure was a method used all around medieval Europe. The sentence depended on the crime.


The Chair of Torture - A striking instrument, the Chair was widely used throughout medieval Europe and beyond. It's origins are not clear, but the truth remains: This is one of the most painful and psychologically striking tortures ever devised by the human mind.


The Pear of Anguish - A very painful torture applied almost exclusively on witches, liars, blasphemers and homosexuals.


The Rat Torture - Rats were used for torture. They were free, available and painful if known how to use.


The Breast Ripper - A very cruel form of torture was the Breast Ripper. A variant, The Spider, was similarly painful and frequently fatal.


The Head Crusher - The head crusher was a psychologically striking instrument that was mainly used to extract confessions.


Saw Torture - The Saw was a humiliating and painful torture available everywhere.


The Virgin of Nuremberg (The Maiden) - The Maiden, also known as the Virgin of Nuremberg, was a torture device that consisted of a coffin with the face of a maiden full of spikes on every wall.


The Spanish Tickler - A terrible torture used to tear a victim's flesh apart. It was commonly used in Spain.


Garrotte Torture - The Garrotte was mostly used for executions and was very frequently used in Spain, hence its name.


Flagellation (Whipping) - Describes the act of flagellation or whipping. Its use was very common in Ancient Rome, but it was still a favorite form of punishment during the Middle Ages.


The Wheel Torture (Breaking Wheel) - The Wheel torture was a very painful form of capital punishment. Death could be prolonged to a day or more.


Foot Roasting - Foot roasting was used in the Middle Ages to extract confessions. The Templar Knights, among many other orders, were tortured with this same method.


Burning at the Stake - Being burned at the stake was a terrible way to die. It could take several hours for death to occur and the causes of death were diverse.


Thumbscrew Torture - A painful torture mostly used to extract confessions before moving to more painful torture methods.
The Heretics Fork - A painful torture used to restrain a victim. It was used throughout the Middle Ages, but it reached its peak during the Spanish Inquisition.


Flaying Torture - A very old and painful method that consists of "skinning" a person alive.


Lead Sprinkler - The lead sprinkler was used to torture victims by pouring molten metals in different parts of their body.


Knee Splitter - Used for destroying body parts, the knee splitter was a terrifying torture device that could even bring death.


The Spanish Spider - A variant of the breast ripper, the Spanish Spider is an instrument capable of mutilating a woman's breasts.


Pillory Torture - A mild form of punishment, the pillory was frequently used in the medieval world.


Crocodile Tube - The crocodile tube was used to kill or extract confessions. It was one of the cruelest torture devices ever used on human beings.


The Brank - The Brank was used to humiliate women who "broke the public order" through gossip or other means.


Crocodile Shears - A torture method reserved for regicides.


Toe Wedging - A "light" torture method, used exclusively to extract confessions.


The Copper Boot - The victim's feet were secured into the copper boot where the torturer could choose one of several variants to torture or even kill the victim.


The Pendulum - Used to dislocate the victim's shoulders, the pendulum was not a lethal torture, but rather a psychological one used to extract confessions before permanently impairing the victim.


The Street Sweeper's Daughter - This very cruel device was used to humiliate victims and even lead them to madness.

What did Knights Eat In Medieval Times?

  The Knights Templar were permitted to eat three times a day (if their master permitted it). Meat was permitted three times a week, excepting on holy days and in that case, meat would be eaten the next day. They were permitted vegetables on other days and, obviously, bread. They had to eat in silence and could read a holy book whilst eating. Taking into account the conditions under which everyone else lived in the middle ages - they had it good. Source: The Knights Templar - G.A. Campbell.


Thursday, March 3, 2011

A Timeline about Knight School & The Timeline Of Kight:

  Becoming a knight wasn't easy. By the late Middle Ages, only sons of nobleman were allowed to train for the job- which took ten years or more...
All in all, it was a long and pricey process.

  • At about 7-years-old, a knght to be sent to a relative's castle...without his mum or dad!
  • There, he learned how to ride, use weapons and behave politely. He also worked as a page, serving at dinner and doing odd jobs.
  • A page learnt to use a lance by charging at a wooden target. He had to hit the middle of the shield on the traget's crossbar......without getting thumped by the sandbag on the other end.
  • At about fourteen, a page become a squire. He had to help an experienced knight and follow him into battle.
  • Once a squire was eighteen on and he was ready to be knightes. He must spent the night before his knight ceremony in church, praying.
  • The next day, he knelt before another knight who tapped him on the neck or shoulders with his hand or sword.
  • Finally, he was given his sword spurs, which showed that he has become a knight.