The Middle Ages for Kids - Life of the Nobility, Kings, Lords, Ladies, Knights

In medieval times, the nobility included Kings, Lords, Knights, and Ladies. Manor houses and castles were drafty, dingy, and damp. They were built for protection, not for comfort. Compared to the common people, however, the nobility lived a far more comfortable life.

Lords: Within the fief he owned, the lord had nearly total authority. He was the judge and jury whenever a dispute needed to be settled. He was also the judge and jury for dispute between his various vassals.

Ladies: A woman's job in the middle ages was to have children and to take care of the household. Noblewomen had no rights. They were the property of their husband. Noblewomen were not allowed to choose their own husbands. Their fathers chose a husband for them.

There was no such thing as divorce. But these were times of great violence. A woman might be married four times in her lifetime. Each time, if her father was alive, he would find her a new husband. If her father was not alive, the eldest son of her late husband would find her a new husband. If there were no sons, the church would find her a new husband, or she could enter the convent.

Kids: At age seven, boys began to study to become knights. Girls did not go to school. They were taught by their mother how to manage the household and how to behave.

Behavior: There was a strict code of behavior in the middle ages. There was rule for every action, even for when you spoke and how you greeted people. Life was very structured.

Long after the Middle Ages were over, a book was published, called the Babees Book, that lists all the customs and manners of the Middle Ages. It's truly interesting. If you would like to take a look, click here: Babees Book.

Dining: Dinner was an elaborate affair for most nobles. Several dishes were served includes game, fish, vegetables, fruit, and deserts. Foods were sweetened with honey. Spoons and forks were not used. Instead, people used their fingers and knives.

If they had guests for dinner, they would hire entertainers - minstrels, magicians, jugglers - or perhaps one person would perform several feats.

Activities and Entertainment: Tournaments were a most popular form of entertainment. Tournaments were mock battles between knights. Men hunted and fished and ran the fief. Women took great pride in their embroidery and tapestry making. They made medicines from various plants. Both men and women learned the art of archery.

Religion: The Catholic Church ruled daily life. Sermons were given daily by parish priests in small rooms called chapels. Prayer was a big part of every day. The church had to approve what you did and how you behaved, or you would be punished, sometimes with your life. The church had great power, and they did not hesitate to use it.