Middle Ages Myths vs Reality
When you think of the Middle Ages you probably picture knights in shining armor, dank castles, and perilous dragons. The history of that period – from the 5th to the late 15th century – is a fascinating one, and every story, film, and game concerning the period has romanticized and mythologized it. Is much of what people believe about the Middle Ages real or myth?
This article will give you the facts about some of the most common myths about this intriguing era and the truth behind these myths. Here we will examine some of the most common misunderstandings about this intriguing era and uncover what actually lurks under the surface.
The Myth of the "Dark Ages"
One of the biggest misconceptions about the Middle Ages is that of the "Dark Ages". This word is derogatory in that it means that this period was a period of cultural decline, of ignorance, of barbarism.However, historians now recognize that while the early Middle Ages (roughly 500-1000 AD) experienced challenges, it was not a complete cultural void.
Reality Check: A Blossoming of Culture
The middle ages were actually a time of great cultural growth. The Carolingian Renaissance, for instance, saw an intellectual revival under Charlemagne in the 9th century. Advances in art, literature, and education flourished, with the establishment of schools and the preservation of classical texts. The invention of the printing press later in the Middle Ages also paved the way for the dissemination of knowledge that would fuel the Renaissance. The Renaissance stimulated the growth of art, literature and education; and the retention of the classical texts, as schools were established.After the invention of the printing press, the dissemination of knowledge was vital to the Renaissance.
The Myth of Filthy Peasants
The other popular myth is that the medieval serf lived in filth and was always filthy himself. The image of the unkempt serf, surrounded by filth and disease, is a staple in popular culture.
Reality Check: Hygiene and Living Conditions
Granted, it is not as if sanitary conditions were what they are today, but a lot of the peasants did clean themselves fairly well. Bathing was a very common habit, especially in the Early Middle Ages where public bathhouses were plentiful. People used herbs and natural ingredients to create soaps. Not to mention, where one lived made all the difference in the world, as did money, and naturally, the local traditions. Peasants lived in simple but functional huts, they had lots of food and clean water (at least in the countryside).
The Myth of Uneducated People
That is another myth, everyone was illiterate in the dark ages. Most people think that because they didn't have any form of public schooling, only the few and privileged could read and write.
Reality Check: Education and Literacy Rates
In reality, literacy rates varied greatly. It is true that literacy was not exactly wide spread, especially among the lower classes, but most towns and cities had schools run by the church, and monasteries were seats of learning. During the later part of the Middle Ages literacy did increase, particularly in the cities, due to the fact that more and more people wanted an education so that they could enter into trade and commerce. Then, during the 12th century, universities came into being, allowing more people to attain an education, and thus higher literacy rates.
The Myth of Chained Serfs
The image of serfs, quite literally, tied in chains to their lords, unable to leave the land at any time, is a bleak one of the middle ages. That is a huge lie about the serfs having no free will or capability of doing anything.
Reality Check: Serfdom and Freedom
While serfs were indeed bound to the land and owed labor to their lords, they were not necessarily "chained". Many serfs had rights and could negotiate their duties. Hell some of the time they could work off there freedom or even climb the social ladder. Not to mention that serfdom isn't the same all throughout europe, some serfs had more rights and freedoms than others.
The Myth of Knights as Noble Warriors
The chivalrous image of them makes them seem knights who are always noble heroes to follow a code of chivalry as well as honor. With this glorified image, they become the personification of all things “good” to go out on a quest for cause of justice for glory.
Reality Check: The Complexity of Knighthood
The reality of knighthood was much more complex. The code of chivalry did exist of course, but many of these knights were nobody's saint not to mention the fact that you cannot find it in the Bible. Many of these knights weren’t about the whole chivalry, honor thing, most of them were in it for the money, the power and the rest of the material things. The medieval warfare was awfully bloody and a lot of the knights mostly fought as mercenaries or went out “raiding” for plunder.
The Myth of Dragons and Magic
For many, inspired mostly by fantasy books and movies, the Middle Ages bring images of dragons, wizards, and magical creatures. This myth holds that magic and superstition permeated the age.
Reality Check Belief and Reasonability
Although superstition certainly affected medieval life, the idea of general belief in dragons is more myth than reality. Breaking away from the world-view of earlier centuries increasingly welcomed logical thinking and scientific investigation. Moreover, the Middle Ages made remarkable progress in many fields, among which the fields of medicine, of astronomy, and philosophy, which, therefore, led to a more complex view of the world.
The Legend of Witch hunts
Often connected with the Middle Ages, witch hunts reflect many people's belief that this era was defined by extensive witch trials and executions.
Reality Check: Witch Hunt Timing
Actually, the most notorious witch hunts took place far later—during the Renaissance and the Early Modern era (16th to 18th centuries). Although charges of witchcraft did arise in the Middle Ages, they were far less frequent and less methodical than in later years. Rising religious fanaticism and the creation of more ordered legal systems helped to fuel the witch hunts that would later afflict Europe.
The Myth of the Plague as a Pervasive Death Agent
Many times, the Black Death is portrayed as a catastrophic event that rapidly wiped out most of the population, causing anarchy and hopelessness.
Reality Check: Afterglow of the Plague
Although millions of people died during the Black Death, it also had major long-term consequences that helped to define Europe's destiny. For those who survived the plague, the labor shortage resulted in improved pay and working conditions. This then helped feudalism to fade and prepared the ground for the Renaissance's socioeconomic revolution.
Conclusion
The Middle Ages were a period of complexity and contradiction full of reality as well as mythologies. Knowing this period means seeing the rich tapestry of life that existed during these centuries and transcending the idealized images. The way history is interpreted changes along with society. Though the Middle Ages can be fascinating, it is necessary to separate fact from fiction if one is to really value the depth of this amazing period. Remember to have an open mind as you delve into Middle Ages history.
History is so interesting because of the interaction of myth and reality, by reading these stories, we can better grasp our past and how it affected the present. Accepting the facts about the Middle Ages will help readers to understand the human experience, so highlighting the difficulties, achievements, and complexity influencing our planet now. Books, movies, or interesting conversations all help one learn more about this fascinating era of history.
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