The Middle Ages?

Question

What are your thoughts on the time?

does anyone know the average lifespan of the midle ages?

Answer 1

Well, during Middle Age the Catholic Church and therefore the Christian religion was the center of life (on the contrary with the Modern Ages, mostly in the Reanaissance when the man and his creations were the center). The representants of Church held in the monasteries every source of knowledge (books and manuscripts, remember that books were handwritten, 'cause Gutenberg did not invented the printing press until a little bit later in the XV century, at least in Europe), so only a few people in Middle Age were able to read and write, some rich people or the same representants of Church. And this is the main reason because of which people in those times, mostly peasants, were so supersticious and afraid of Church, and let themselves guide for every command of the Church. The Church used also to persecute and punish people who didnt follow the Catholic faith, accusing them of heresy.
During Middle Age the main economic activity was agriculture and Feudalism was prevailing. On account of the extreme lack of hygiene millions of people of all kinds (rich, poor) got sick easily, mainly by the bubonic plague which some said thet was the beggining of the end of the Middle Ages, among several other factors of course.

Oh, I think the first girl above is right, as I said people died very young mainly because of the illnesses.

Happy New Year

Answer 2

The Middle Ages were times when life was cheap with several wars. Bear in mind that communication was poor, no radio, telephones or even electricity so news travelled slowly. Most people never travelled more that five miles from where they were born Disease was rife and food short. During Winter and outside the growing seasons the only food was bread made from dried grain, wheat, barley and oats or soup from dried ingredients, peas, beans etc. Meat was scarce and eaten generally by the rich. Due to lack of viamin A in meat and becuase rich people thiout that eating vegetables and fruit was for the poor, many went blind, such as Samuel Pepys. A few weeks eating carrots would have given him his sight back. Medical knowledge was scant and even simple illnesses could kill. Medical research was obtained by disecting the bodies of executed criminals. Medicine was mainly home made from berries and plants. Superstition ruled, fueld by the Catholic Church who demanded implicit obedience. Refusal could lead to you being accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake. Most families were large due to lack of birth control and the thoughts that in old age one needed many children to ensure they were looked after. many children died young so out of a family of ten only three may survive. Because of this the 'average' life expectancy was around thirty years, but some could live much longer although not many reached the age of 60. Punishments were harsh with even death being given to people committing even the most minor offence. Churchgoing was obligatory on Sundays and missing could mean severe punishment. The monarch ruled supreme and gave decisions and judgments without question. The economy ran on the feudal system which meant that the king or queen received money from the lords and barons who, in turn, taxed their tenants. People were expected to grow their own crops and give a tenth to their lords and masters who, in turn, gave a tenth of what they received to the king. This included providing men for the army in the event of war. All males were expected to practice archery but as it was illegal to own a bow and arrows they used small darts thrown at a target. (This is where the game of darts originated). Travel was hazardous with ships being flimsy and liable to sink. Travel on the roads could mean risking being attacked by robbers or outlaws. Many countries were undiscovered and in countries like England, and those in northern Europe people never saw black, brown or yellow people or even knew they existed. In cities the stench was foul and disease was everywhere as there were no sewers and waste was simply thrown into the street. Rats were everywhere and carried disease and fleas which spread things like bubonic plague and black death. Education was non-existent and children started work as young as five or six. Only one in a thousand could read orr write.

Apart from all that life wasn't too bad!

Answer 3

i didn't like learning about the middle ages because everyone was SO dirty and very superstitious i also don't like the thought of medieval torture chambers. i think the people in the medieval times weren't human at all ewww and the black plague i am SO happy that the Renaissance happened

Answer 4

The average life span was 35 years, and many children died in infancy.

Answer 5

There are a number of excellent sites with the information you are seeking. See below.