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How were men and women treated differently in medieval times?

What roles did family members play in Medieval Rome?

Medieval life for men and women were very different back in Medieval Rome. Medieval sermons illustrated the attitude of the church and society for women. Women were criticized for foolishness and for disobeying their fathers and husbands. Women were denounced for dress and appearance, gossip and walking about the village alone with no work to do. Husbands were allowed to beat their wife as a punishment and were encouraged to do. Ouch, can someone say harsh?

In fact, in some places, men faced fines for not beating their wives as a punishment. Medieval law reflects that women were seen less valuable as men. Their word also was less valuable. A men’s word will be taken over a women’s word. Still, women were a vital part of medieval economy. Women worked in fields, in homes, and in workshops. Also, women cared and taught children. Women were responsible for raising, storing, and preparing much of their families’ food and making their clothing. Women were also responsible for being a good wife and taking care of their children. You could say women took care of most things.

  

What type of things did children do for fun?

Children in the middle ages had to be creative when it came to being entertained. Think about this, no phones, no computers, no face book, no TV, no air conditions or even in that matter electricity. Even without all these things, children still had fun and made the best out of each and every day. When children aren’t working, they are out running around or riding on hobby horses which were made and painted to look like real horses. Girls played with the same things with boys but they also liked playing with dolls. Dolls back then were made of clay, wax, wool, or wood. They were painted and dressed in various costumes, just like Barbies are today. Peasant girls played with rag dolls but Nobel children had dolls with robes and fancy head dresses.

       Children from wealthy families played with board games such as checkers and chess. Children also played games similar to bowling, badminton, tennis, soccer, baseball, and golf. Balls were usually made out of leather stuffed with horse hair or dried pigs’ bladders filled with dried peas. Um EW!! Summertime meant time for swimming in river and lakes for a variety of children. Life preservers made from tree bark helped the younger children stay afloat. In the winter, children played a game similar to ice hockey. Many children liked to play war games such as horseback riding, archery, wrestling, and a game called sword and buckler, which involved pretend sword fights. Children often walked on stilts, gave each other piggy back rides, wrestled, and climbed trees. Marbles, dice, balls, hoops, and sticks were just a few of the popular toys back then.

How did families come together and bond?

         Families in the middle ages came together and bonded through work, meals, and chores. Families in the medieval ages cared for each other, especially if they were sick or elderly. Families cherished their elders and elders were highly respected. Families also cared for new born babies or younger children. A big part of taking care of the sick was the plague. The plague, or known as black death, tore through families and harmed most towns. Most cases of the plague resulted in death because there was no cure back then. Some people would think it was ecomomic downfall or disruption is the legal services, but history would tell you a totally different story.

Markets, fairs, festivals and holidays were a time of celebration and food. Families joined together and spent some quality time while enjoying music, dancing, and food. Some families got off work to be together during their many holidays. Mothers worked and prepared nice meals, cleaned the house, and did the daily chores. Men hunted and gathered food for the fancy meals and children played and enjoyed having time off from their work or from their school. Families who weren’t as wealthy didn’t really celebrate holidays like the rich did. Most of the time, family members didn’t take off work to be with their families because they couldn’t afford the loss.

 

How did families get their homes?

When a wife and a husband marry, it is time for them to go find a home and make a new life.  Most of the time Nobles granted pieces of land to lesser Nobles or some greater known commoners. Everyone in the family had to work hard to get receive and maintain a nice home. Family members worked together in the fields, in shops, and in their own home. Families would either bargain for land or work for land and lived on plantations or farms. Some times, families would inherit land from their elders.

Families took care of each other, especially the young, the elderly, and the ill. Families who had children usually needed more economic help with the new mouth to feed. Women worked and earned wages to help keep up the house and put food on the table and well as the wages the men and older children earn. Women in the middle ages usually put food on the table but men helped pay for expenses. Families were big but sometimes the homes were small. Nobles lived in elegant home with beautiful furnishing and elaborate art work. Commoners lived in less fancy homes and furnishings were usually bare and dull. Economic value and money played a big role in medieval times.  Money decided if you were a commoner, or a Noble.