Dbq Essay On The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages was a time of knights, the lords they supported, and the kings and queens they worked under. A time the Roman Catholic Church took over the European landmass like rapid fire, and when moral codes designated the manner in which people acted. Almost most influential of all was feudalism. At the time of the medieval period, the social, political, and economic lives of Europeans were defined by feudalism. One part of life greatly influenced by the world around it was social life. Social life was mainly defined by social rank. Although the ranks determined the respect received by each person, each rank has it’s own importance and support of other ranks. For example, the kings give land to nobles who provide land for knights and serfs (Doc. 1). In return the serfs served knights when needed and knights gave military service and protection to

Much like a social life, political lives were also influenced by social rank. Along with telling what part you play in society, your social rank can determine the political power of an individual. For instance, peasants had little to no say in political situations, but knights and nobles had more impact (Doc. 1). Another leader later entered and gained much political power through his power in the church. The Pope gained abilities such as selecting and blessing political and Christian supporters (OI). The Roman Catholic Church gained more power politically as well. Even not sharing beliefs with everyone, the common population was required to abide by the Church’s laws (Doc. 3). The Church would, along with paying taxes, collect gifts from those who wanted an insured place in Heaven. “These gifts included land, flocks, crops, and even serfs” (Doc. 3) These gifts could be used to influence kings giving the Church almost endless power. Finally, even seeing as one may not wish to, in the Code of Chivalry requires, “Thou shalt defend the Church” (Doc.