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FIND OUT MORE. Crusades 389 • Normans 389 • Reformation 399• Renaissance 398

HOW DID MEDIEVAL TOWNS DEVELOP?

Many towns grew up around markets, where farm

produce was exchanged for the goods and services of

specialist craftsmen, such as shoemakers and weavers.

Through their guilds, traders and craftsmen regulated

prices and organized the training of their apprentices.

WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE FOR PEASANT FAMILIES?

Most peasants worked on their local lord’s fields in

return for their own plots of land. Some, called serfs,

were not free, and could not travel, or marry, without

their lord’s permission. Skilled men could be thatchers

or carpenters. Women might weave cloth or brew ale.

KNIGHTS

1 THE BLACK DEATH

This stained-glass window shows the impact of the Black Death, the

plague that killed more than a quarter of Europe’s population in

1347-1349 CE. It was spread by fleabites and contact with infected people.

Towers

originally for defence,

now for decoration

Metal helmet

protects head

Metal

greaves

(shin

pieces)

Plague victim,

wrapped in shroud.

Once infected, there

was little hope

of survival

1 ITALIAN KNIGHT

This suit of armour, worn around

1380 CE, gave good protection

while the knight was on

horseback, but was hot and heavy

when fighting on foot.

Even the feet are

protected by armour

Metal

breastplate

and chain-

mail tunic

Pointed sword digs

between armour

ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE
1122–1204
Eleanor of Aquitaine was the
richest heiress in France. She
married King Louis VII of
France in 1137, but by 1154,
she was married to King
Henry II of England. In her
old age she remained a
powerful woman, ruling
England during the absence
of her son, King Richard.

Knights were warriors on horseback. They came

from noble families and were trained from boyhood

to handle weapons, wear armour, and ride heavy

war horses. Some knights owned castles and land,

and kept local order. Others served in the

private armies of great lords. Each knight

had his own coat of arms, helping him

to tell friend from foe in battle.

HOW DID KNIGHTS FIGHT?

Knights charged into battle on

horseback, spearing enemy soldiers

with their long lances, or slashing at

them with heavy swords, maces, and

battle-axes. On foot, they fought with

daggers and short swords.

WHAT WAS THE CODE OF CHIVALRY?

Knights were bound by a solemn

promise to be loyal to their king. They

were also meant to respect women,

protect the weak, and defend the Church.

This code became known as chivalry.

A TOURNAMENT SHIELD 3

This ornamental shield was made for a tournament parade.

Tournament contests gave knights a chance to practise their

skills. Their lives and loves were celebrated in the songs and

poems of travelling minstrels called troubadours.

Knight kneels in

front of a noble lady