Middle+Ages+Artifacts


 *  13th-Century Joust from the Codex Manesse || Medieval Plague Victim || Peasants Going to Market ||
 * [[image:Feudalism.jpg align="center"]] || [[image:Black_Death.jpg align="center"]] || [[image:Peasants_Going_to_Market.jpg]] ||
 * This illustration from the 1300's depicts two knights in full armor. This image was originally an illustration in The Codex Manesse, a manuscript comprised of love songs written by ancient poets. The central feature of this image shows two knights in a joust with one another. The knight dressed in black amour has knocked the opposing knight off his horse with a lance. The object of the game was not to kill, but to knock the opponent off his horse. These tournaments were full of jousters from all standings battling one another. It did not matter whether you were rich or poor; you still had an opportunity to compete. There were many reasons for these jousts that include knights honing their skills and providing entertainment for the surrounding crowd. These mock battles were a time for people to gather and have a good time. Meanwhile, the upper half of this picture shows women gazing and swooning over these men in battle. Even though it was sometimes difficult to see which opponent was which, everyone in the crowd still tried to cheer on their favorite. These women were mostly likely pining over these men and there riches. Knights who competed in these jousts could earn a good fortune competing in tournaments all over the land. This led some highly skilled knights to become very wealthy. || The image above shows a victim of the Black Death lying ill in bed. This sick man had a very low chance of survival even with medical care. A doctor is by his side though tending to him by holding a sweet-smelling sponge over his head and nose. Doctors and people alike in this time believed the Bubonic Plague was spread through the nose and nasal passages. It was believed that you could prevent yourself from getting the disease by surrounding the nose with sweet smelling herbs. This many have actually been an aid to the spread of this terrible plague though which originated in China. Even with many doctors looking for a cure, none was effective. People usually died within 5 days of first contracting this deadly virus. With so many dying, life as people knew it was changing. This disease caused a wide spread epidemic and killed millions of people. Entire towns were scared of human contact since this virus was so deadly. Neighbors and even family members started to avoid one another. Also, the prices of goods dropped and inflation occurred within towns. In addition survivors began demanding higher wages and even some journeymen were prevented from becoming masters. Farmers even converted their crop fields to sheep grazing land since it was cheaper to maintain and mange. Throughout this entire turmoil people wanted answers, but one could provide them with any. This in turn led to people distrusting authority figures like the church. With this deadly plague came changes that would inevitably end the era we now call the Middle Ages. || The image above shows three peasants getting ready to go to a fair. They were mostly likely in a conversation about what they wanted to buy or sell. These men probably had high hopes to make a good deal. Fairs not only spread goods, but they also spread ideas. Fairs were central locations where anyone could interact. Since people now had extra money to spend, they could afford some finer things in life. Food was no longer the only thing they had to think about. Goods from all over the world were carried by ships and traded across foreign lands. International trade opened many different doors for people. Many new inventions and beliefs made it to far off lands. Soon things like letters of exchange and partnerships came about. People started to immigrate and move to different lands. New religious groups started to venture into once other wise unknown territory. Guilds also formed among towns. These guilds were the leaders of the area on which they presided. They created and approved laws, in addition to limiting their membership. Guilds were made up of few workers in each trade such as weavers, bakers, and goldsmiths. They provided social services like schools and hospitals. The lives of people in towns with guilds greatly improved. ||