Life in the Middle Ages was very different from life today. The Middle Ages was a time of chivalry, quests, feudalism, and often war. The Middle Ages found some people living very prosperous lives while others only survived from day to day (Life: What was it really like to live in the Middle Ages Internet). A new class emerged during the Middle Ages; the merchant. The growth of trade and the merchant middle class went hand in hand with the growth in towns. Town populations swelled during this period, particularly after the Black Death. Trade routes grew, though roads remained poor and dangerous; so most goods were transported by water (Life: What was it really like to live in the Middle Ages Internet). The lives of men during the Middle Ages were difficult. They had to care for their land, serve as head of their household, and had to be almost entirely self-sufficient. It was necessary to repair their own tools and furniture, build their own homes, and plow fields. Middle class men often specialized in a certain trade, such as carpentry, and lived within a city 's walls. It was fairly commonplace to find an apprentice living with a family and learning the trade of the man. Less well-off men would not have expected to reach a position of authority or rank anywhere but in the church (Life During the Middle Ages Internet). The Middle Ages did not offer women many options of lifestyles. During these times women could either sacrifice themselves in religious rituals, or become wives and mothers. None of these options offered women a real chance to live, to create, and to enjoy. New options emerged. These options allowed them not only to live free of male dominance, but also to be educated and to use their creativity in areas like music, theater, science, and philosophy. These options were monastic life, mysticism and life among the Beguines (Life During the Middle Ages Internet). A child’s life in the Middle Ages was quite different from that of a child today. All children were raised by parents who gave little input, when it came to caring for the child. The children were expected to quickly join the adult world. During the Medieval Times, a child was put under complete control of his/her family until the age of 12, when middle class children were put into elementary schools. Only boys were allowed to continue into grammar schools where Latin was taught. Children were taught to be timid and respect authority. Peasant children often were raised in their parent’s homes. It was not uncommon to find a peasant child working at a young age. Many peasant children were illiterate (Life During the Middle Ages Internet). Though daily life in the Middle Ages differs greatly from life today, I believe that the two time periods share some similarities. The roles of men and women are unpredictable in life, but the roles of the child are somewhat the same. Children are sent to school at a young age and are taught to respect authority.
Works Cited
"Life During the Middle Ages." Medieval-life.net. 2004. 7 Feb 2005. .
"Life: What was it really like to live in the Middle Ages?" Annebeg/CPBLearner.org. 25 Apr. 2004 7 Feb. 2005.
Cited: "Life During the Middle Ages." Medieval-life.net. 2004. 7 Feb 2005. . "Life: What was it really like to live in the Middle Ages?" Annebeg/CPBLearner.org. 25 Apr. 2004 7 Feb. 2005.
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