Medieval Era Essay

An easy way to describe the medieval era in one word : separation. The medieval era was easily seen as rich nobles against the majority poor, but the church also dominated the scenes. The society was greatly influenced by sports, art, and clothing that was regulated or promoted by these separate entities during the time. The church would control art, while the nobility would influence sports, gambling, and clothing. Peasants were given opportunity to participate in these events, but rarely held influence in society. The churches (primarily of the Christian faith) dominated the power of art to improve its influence on those who saw it. Artists were insignificant to the church and their artwork and often found themselves "too humble to sign
Nobles held these "tournaments throughout the year except during Lent" (Sports and recreation in medieval Europe 4). Although the churches disliked the idea of sporting events, especially those that were gambled on, they were still respected during religious times. Nobles would prohibit burghers and peasants from participating in these events making them primarily for knights and other nobles trying to exalt themselves or represent each others talents. Clothing wasn't popular with peasants for the sole reason of expense. Peasants would wear clothed "they produced themselves... because it took much time and effort to make a single garment" (clothing and footwear in medieval Europe 1). Fashionable clothing was worn primarily by the nobles for they had the money to hire tailors and other craftsman to make their apparel. Throughout the medieval era the peasants were downtrodden and had few luxuries compared to the nobility and church heads. Peasants were treated poorly and had little access to events and forms of expression. The domination of society harmed the lower class, but bolstered the wealthy and religious. The medieval era was a time of separation between the rich and poor and remained a battle represented in