The Early Medieval Times

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Here you can find some basic information about how the early medieval times looked like.
NOTE: we do not follow any particular countries history and culture. Each Kingdom has different and unique culture, for this reason, remember, that this is just basic information to let you feel the medieval era, but you must know your Kingdom's history and culture, because things here and there might be slightly different.



CLOTHING

Woman

The Medieval Dresses of the early Middle Ages was still influenced by the classical styles of the Greek and Roman women:

  • Their dresses were at times so tight as to display all the elegance of their form
  • Other dresses were made so high as completely to cover the neck
  • A long tunic reaching to the heels, fastened in at the waist and closed at the wrists
  • A tunic might be worn with or without sleeves
  • Their dress consisted of two tunics, and of a veil or drapery, which was thrown over the head and fell down before and behind, thus entirely surrounding the neck
  • Queens, princesses, and ladies of the nobility wore in addition a long cloak lined with ermine.

Peasant

The Peasant Dresses were basic and practical. The dress of the women in the lowest ranks of society was at first a shapeless dress. The dress was fastened at the waist by a simple girdle. The dress was covered by a shawl. The simple dresses from the Middle Ages consisted of:

  • A dress of cheap woollen cloth
  • Colors were basic as dyes were expensive. Simple dresses were off-white, grey, brown or red
  • The dress was fastened by a belt or girdle around the waist or hips
  • A sleeveless tunic
  • A shawl of thick woollen material or fur, which fell from the shoulders to half-way down her legs
  • Shoes were made of leather and simply wrapped around the foot
  • Peasant women wore wimples to cover their hair. A wimple was a piece of material, square or circular in shape, was draped over the head to the shoulders and held in place by a band around the brow. The wimple completely covered the hair, neck and ears by medieval women
  • Mittens were worn for their warmth.

Medieval Chain Mail

Chain Mail was the earliest form of metal armor worn by the average soldier during the Medieval times and era. Medieval Chain Mail was a flexible armor which was made from interlinked metal rings. The word 'Chain mail' was an English combination of two words. 'Chain' meaning a series of metal rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligament and 'mail' from the French word "maille" which is derived from the Latin "macula" meaning "mesh of a net". Chain Mail is also referred to by derivatives of the word such as:

  • Ringmail
  • Chain armor
  • Ring armor
  • Mail

In the early Medieval feudal period a knight wore a cloth or leather tunic covered with iron rings or scales, and an iron cap with a nose guard. At the beginning of the 12th century he adopted chain mail, with a hood, or coif, of the same material for the head.

Royals and nobles

The Medieval Kings Clothing of the early Middle Ages was still influenced by the classical styles of the Romans. Clothes were loose and belted. Short clothes and coats of mail were also worn.

Knights

The clothes worn with a Knights Suit of Armor afforded both comfort and protection to the knight.

  • The Under Clothes consisted of a linen under-shirt and linen under-pants
  • Woollen stockings covered the legs
  • A knight's Underclothes were important as they prevented the armor from chafing the Knights skin
  • A padded garment known by various names such as Aketon, Arming coat, Doublet, Gambeson, Hacketon consisted of a quilted coat which was either sewn or stuffed with linen or even grass. This served as padding for additional armour worn over the top
  • A Surcoat was a robe, with a belt around the waist, which was placed over the body armor
  • The surcoat was emblazoned with the cote of arms or device of the Knight in order to identify the knight in battle.
FOOD

In Medieval Europe, a person's diet depended mainly on what social class you were in. Those who were in the high social class ate plenty of meat cooked by their chefs. Those who were ranked low ate mainly vegetables and meat was often scarce.

Peasants's Food

In Medieval Europe, peasants had the lowest social ranking. They did not have the money to buy the most luxurious and healthy foods. A peasants diet was very starchy and did not have much protein in their diet. The bread and many types of grains were the main food on the table, as the most popular thing to eat was - soup, because it is quick,warm and enough. People were busy, especially commoners,from morning till evening and barely had time to raise their cooking skills. So:

  • bread (wheat, rye or oats)
  • vegetable soup (peas, beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, leeks, onions, and turnips)
  • apples and grapes
  • milk, cheese, and butter
  • fish

The peasants did all the farming. Families raised livestock (cattle, sheep, pigs, and chickens) on their farm. They made dairy products from the cattle. During the fall the cattle, sheep, and pigs were killed for their meat, which was salted to prevent decay. One animal was usually enough for one family to last through the winter. Families did not kill the chickens because they wanted to keep the chickens for eggs.

Noble's Food

Nobles had the highest social ranking. A high social ranking often meant that they were rich and could afford healthy and luxurious food. In the kitchen, a servant would always taste the food to make sure it was not poisoned before giving it to their master. A noble had a grand three-couse meal and included foods like…

  • vegetables
  • bread
  • roasted swans
  • roasted peacock
  • sweet and spicy seasoned meats

Although a noble's food wasn't very different from a peasant's food it tasted a lot better and was larger quality of food. The nobles could afford spices, so often their chefs would add many spices to their meals to make them taste better and to hide a rotting taste. Spices included cinnamon, cloves, cumin, and pepper.

Habbits:

People used to have funny habits for serving food. For example, some people tried to make the animal look alive after cooking it! They would cover the meat with the fur or feathers! Most people didn't have plates. They used flattened bread instead, called trenchers. When they did get their hands on a cup or plate (forks were almost unknown), they shared with someone else! Used trenchers were given to the poor to eat.

EDUCATION

Teaching changed radically in a century and geared toward religion (after the ancient times) - the institution that would dominate education for the following millennium. In the Early Middle Ages the vast majority of the population was uneducated; this was later reflected in poor political decisions, much conflict and lack of any centralized power.

Though, a bit later several priests were appointed to educate the sons of important men. Gradually education was slightly changed from being purely related to God to including more practical knowledge such as mathematics and Latin. By this time education had increased considerably but very few could read and write and even fewer pursued a higher education.

The most common language in the medieval world was Latin, even though most countries had their own language. Latin a thousand years ago was like English today: The language that most people understood and did business with. Many nobles were taught to read and write in Latin which was taught mostly in monasteries and abbeys.

Those who studied in a monastery often became monks and worked by writing books and preserving Greek and Roman texts. They translated many classical works into Latin. Few professions existed for those who were educated - those who were skilled in fighting generally earned more than those who weren't. For example, most politicians and rulers ascended to power rarely by education, but rather by warfare and inheritance.

Most peasants were never allowed to study as the fees required by the church were beyond their reach. In addition, by keeping the population ignorant, the upper class could get away with almost anything. Study books were extremely expensive so the only viable way to learn was with the help of a teacher. From an early age a boy's role was determined. Some became fighters, others became merchants and so on.

Most elite fighting troops were educated. The knights, with their famous Code of Chivalry are a perfect example. They were educated from a very early age and excelled in reading, writing and other practical skills. A knight was usually appointed to teach them everything they needed to know.

Women had been virtually ignored up to this point. Even though only a small minority of them began to study in universities, this was a changing point towards a more equal society. However, women were still required to do everything her husband or lord pleased.

SEAMANSHIP

SOON

WEAPONS


SWORDS


Arming.jpg
Arming Swords
The arming sword (also sometimes called a knight's or knightly sword) is the single handed cruciform sword. Typically used with a shield or buckler, the arming sword is the standard military sword of the knight, especially if the knight is not of the richest ones. The arming sword is overall a light, versatile weapon capable of both cut and thrust combat; and normally boasts excellent balance. Although a variety of designs fall under the heading of 'arming sword', they are most commonly recognized as single-handed double-edged swords that are designed more for cutting than thrusting.
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Broadswords
The term Broadsword defines a sword with a usually substantial, straight two-edged blade. It may refer to basket-hilted sword, a cavalry and military swords. Such swords could have blades of broadsword form or backsword (single cutting edge) form.
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Falchions
A falchion is a one-handed, single-edged sword. They almost always include a single edge with a slight curve on the blade towards the point on the end and most are also affixed with a quilloned crossguard for the hilt in the manner of the contemporary long-swords. The weapon combined the weight and power of an axe with the versatility of a sword.
Longsword.jpg
Long Swords
Longswords have long cruciform hilts with grips over 10 to 15in length providing room for two hands. Straight double-edged blades are often over 1 m to 1.2 m (40" to 48") length, and weigh typically between 1.2 and 2.4 kg (2½ to 5 lb), with light specimens just below 1 kg (2.2 lb), and heavy specimens just above 2 kg (4½ lb). The longsword is commonly held in combat with both hands, though some may be used single-handed. Longswords are used for hewing, slicing, and stabbing. The specific offensive purpose of an individual longsword is derived from its physical shape. All parts of the sword are used for offensive purposes, including the pommel and crossguard.


DAGGERS AND KNIVES


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Anelaces
An anelace, also called an anlace, is a medieval long daggeror a very short type of sword. An anelace is sharp on both sides and can be carried at the small of the backor girdle. Two anelaces can be used in a paired fighting style similar to using a sword and parrying dagger.
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Stilettos
A stiletto is a short knife or dagger with a long slender blade of various designs primarily used as a stabbing weapon. Its narrow shape, ending in a rigid pointed end, allows it to penetrate deeply. Most stiletti are not suited for cutting, even with edged examples.
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Poingnards
A poignard, or poniard, is a lightweight dagger employed in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It is primarily used for stabbing in close quarters or in conjunction with a rapier.
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Rondels
A rondel dagger or roundel dagger is a type of stiff-bladed dagger, used by a variety of people from merchants to knights. It is worn at the waist and might be used as a utility tool, or worn into battle or a jousting tournament as a side-arm. The blade is typically long and slim, measuring 12 inches (30 cm) or more; the whole dagger might be as long as 20 inches (50 cm). Rondel means round or circular; the dagger gets its name from its round (or similarly shaped, e.g. octagonal) hand guard and round or spherical pommel (knob on the end of the grip).


BLUDGEONS


Mace.jpg
Maces
It is a simple weapon that uses a heavy head on the end of a handle to deliver powerful blows. A development of the club, a mace differs from a hammer in that the head of a mace is radially symmetric so that a blow can be delivered equally effectively with any side of the head. A mace consists of a strong, heavy, wooden, metal-reinforced (or metal) shaft with a head made of stone, copper, bronze, iron, or steel.
Morningstar.jpg
Morning star
The morningstar is a medieval weapon consisting of a spiked club resembling a mace, usually with a long spike extending straight from the top and many smaller spikes around the particle of the head.
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Flails
Typically, the weapon is depicted as one (or more) weights attached to a handle with a hinge or chain. (Throughout the Middle-Ages, agricultural flails were sometimes employed as an improvised weapon by peasant armies conscripted into military service or engaged in popular uprisings.)
Warhammer.jpg
War Hammers
Intended for close combat action, the design of which resembles the hammer. The war hammer consists of a handle and a head. The handle may be of different lengths, the longest being roughly equivalent to the halberd, and the shortest about the same as a mace.
Picks.jpg
Horseman's Picks
The horseman's pick is a weapon used by cavalry. This is a type of war hammer that has a very long spike on the reverse of the hammer head. Usually this spike is slightly curved downwards, much like a miner's pickaxe. The horseman's pick is often used as a means to penetrate thick armour or chain mail which the standard sword could not. However, a number of drawbacks limited the weapon's effectiveness. Its relative heaviness makes it unwieldy and, thus, easily avoided.
Axe.jpg
Axes
It is a weapon with a heavy crescent-shaped head mounted on a haft 4ft. to 6ft. (1.2-1.8 m.) in length.


POLEARMS


Long.jpg
Long war hammers
pole weapons (polearms) meant for use against riders, whereas short ones were used in closer quarters and from horseback.
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Quarterstaves
A quarterstaff is weapon that is a shaft of hardwood between five and seven feet in length, sometimes with metal tips, ferules or spikes.
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Spears
A spear is a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a sharpened head. The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft, or it may be of another material fastened to the shaft, such as obsidian, iron, or bronze. The most common design is of a metal spearhead, shaped like a triangle or a leaf.
Pike.jpg
Pikes
A pike is a pole weapon, a very long thrusting weapon used extensively by infantry both for attacks on enemy foot soldiers and as a counter-measure against cavalry assaults. Unlike many similar weapons, the pike is not intended to be thrown.
Halberd.jpg
Halberds
The halberd consists of an axe blade topped with a spike mounted on a long shaft. It always has a hook or thorn on the back side of the axe blade for grappling mounted combatants.


RANGE WEAPONS


Bow.jpg
Bow
A bow is a weapon that projects arrows powered by its elasticity. It is a form of spring. As the bow is drawn, energy is stored as potential energy in the limbs of the bow and transformed into kinetic energy as the string is released, the string transferring this energy to the arrow.
Longbow.jpg
Long Bow
It is a type of bow that is tall (roughly equal to the height of the person who uses it). This allows its user a fairly long draw, at least to the jaw. A longbow is not significantly recurved. Its limbs are relatively narrow so that they are circular or D-shaped in cross section.
Crossbow.jpg
Crossbows
It is a range weapon that shoots projectiles (called bolts or quarrels) consisting of a bow mounted on a stock.A crossbow is a bow mounted on a stock (or tiller) with a mechanismthat holds the drawn bow string.
ARMOR


SHIELDS


Buckler.jpg
Buckler
It is a small shield, 15 to 45 cm (6 in to 18 in) in diameter, gripped in the fist. It was generally used as a companion weapon in hand-to-hand combat. Its size make it poor protection against missile weapons (e.g., arrows) but useful in deflecting the blow of an opponent's sword or mace.
Enarmes.svg.jpg
Enarmes
Enarmes are held in place by riveting through the leather and the facing of the shield, and reinforced with small, square-cut washers. This is rarely used type of shield. Pretty new thing.
Heater.jpg
Heater Shield
Smaller than the kite shield, it was more manageable and could be used either mounted or on foot.
Pavise.jpg
Pavise
It is a large convex shield used to protect the entire body. The pavise was also made in a smaller version for hand to hand combat and for wearing on the back of men-at-arms. It is characterized by its prominent central ridge.
Kite.jpg
Kite Shield
It is either a reverse teardrop shape or flat-topped. The tapering point extended down to either a distinct or rounded point.
Rondache.jpg
Roundache
Shield carried by foot soldiers. It is made of boards of light wood, sinews or ropes, covered with leather, plates of metal, or stuck full of nails in concentric circles or other figures.



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