Good morn! It's been a while since I dedicated a post to the wonderful era of lords and ladies. So, today, I want to share some facts that you may not know about the middle ages. Hopefully you enjoy them!
1.) Woodland isn't the same as forest.
In the Middle Ages, there would be specific areas of woodland, thickets, and heath that only nobles were allowed to hunt on. They would be called a forest and kept pristine ONLY for the nobles. While a woodland, was to be public land for anyone to use. If you were found hunting or gathering firewood in a forest, you could expect to be blinded or lose a limb. They did this so the nobles could hunt without hindrance and no common folk would be maimed or steal the nobles food.
2.) No pick pockets!
In Medieval England, you wouldn't have to worry about pick pockets! Simply because... Um pockets haven't been invented. 😂 What you would have to look out for is a 'cut purse'. In Medieval times one would normally keep their purse or coin bag tied or strapped to their outer garment and these theifs would simply cut the cord and dash off with your money.
3.) Stud farms were ran by monasteries.
Horse breeders in the middle ages were normally (as there are some exceptions) ran by monks at monasteries. Here they bred warhorses (destriers), hunters (coursers), and palfries for comfortable riding, with workhorses.
4.)Three estates of medieval men.
All people in the middle ages were placed into one of three categories. Those who prayed; so monks, Abbott's, nuns, bishops, and priests. Then you have those who fought, which included: nobles, knights, lords, anyone wealthy enough that had to aid the king of defend a parcel of land. Then those who labored; being serfs, bond servants, freeman, yeoman, or anyone that wasn't a noble or part of the clergy.
5.) Women could run their own business.
Many people think woman were treated horribly in medieval England, but while in some areas this isn't wrong, in some it's a cliche taught by movies and books. There are multiple records of medieval woman owning their own business and flourishing in their town. Their were woman practicing medicine as a barber or alchemist and many other areas, too. This could have been left to them by their husband or even could have been a family business. And even noble women were held accountable to protect and defend a lords manor when the lord went away for Parliament or such. There are many fascinating accounts of a victiorious noblewoman holding off a power/land grabbing man who thought to strike while the lord of the castle was away.
Sources:
"How to Survive in Medieval England" by Toni Mount
Comments