by John Devera

Created on: July 29, 2008

The middle ages refers to the amorphous time period between the 5th and the 16th century. So, that means we're talking about a thousand years, give or take. And the middle ages refers to the history of Western Civilization, which encompasses a whole lot of cultures, geographic regions, natural disasters, and a whole rogues gallery of heroes and villains of epic stature.

Now, given the wide range of this topic, how can we possibly discuss everyday life? For who, the Gaulic warlord with visions of becoming a trading prince? The peasant in the later middle ages who is conscripted to fight in the Hundred Years War? The Knight Templar who gains such wealth and power that he becomes a veritable king? The child who hears a boy preacher and follows him on a crusade and is subsequently sold into slavery in Tunisia?

Well, since that really seems a rather daunting task, allow me to change the topic a bit and cure a bit of the romantic nonsense surrounding what most people think of as the middle ages. This is why you should be very, very, very glad that you do not live in the middle ages.

LIFE EXPECTANCY
During the middle ages, the normal life expectancy, not including the vast skewing of the scale because of infant mortality, ranges a little under 40 years. Now, don't let that fool you. There are lots of people around who grow old, sometimes into their 80's. But they are the very unlucky ones, perhaps. Two out every three people who live past the age of fourteen will die from physical violence. Compare that to modern America (an exceptionally violent nation) in which less that 3 percent will die from violence.
Disease is rampant, and epidemics can wipe out entire regions. The bubonic plague, for instance, wipes out one third of the people in England, and a quarter of the population of all of Europe.

STANDARD OF LIVING
If you are a peasant living in England, your diet consists almost entirely of fish and roots. When bread becomes available, that will add to the general unpleasantness of the diet. You get about 1600 calories a day. You suffer from a host of malnutrition-caused afflictions, especially scurvy.
If you are noble, then you are a little better off. You get substantially more bread and red meat. Fruit is available in season.

Outside of those areas in which Muslims have occupied Europe, sanitation is minimal. The Muslims bring, along with the Qu'ran and invasion, modern sewers. Otherwise, you are defecating and urinating in bowls and throwing the lot out the window whenever

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>