Society
A society has:
- structured community
- similar traditions
- institutions (communities in society share these)
- common nationality
- common worldview
Religion
Catholic Church was the only church in Europe during the Middle Ages, and it had its own laws and large coffers. Church leaders such as bishops and archbishops sat on the king's council and played leading roles in government.
Traditions
Weddings during medieval times gave birth to many traditions that today's brides still follow.
Betrothal was an important medieval tradition. The prospective bride and groom appeared in front of a priest and made solemn promises. They then exchanged rings and kisses, then waited for roughly 40 days, when the wedding ceremony then took place. Grooms were required to pay a "deposit" at the betrothal, and should he try to back out of an agreement, he would have to pay a penalty. This was equal to four times the betrothal price.
Medieval brides often wore blue, the traditional color of purity, rather than today's white dress.
The traditional Maid of Honor began in England where the senior of the bridesmaids attended to the bride's every need the week or so before her wedding day. She was also responsible for creating the bouquet and other wedding decorations. On the wedding day she would help the bride dress.
During the feast, the bride and groom drank spiced wine from a fine chalice called the Wedding Cup. As midnight approached, guests tried to get into the newlywed's bedchamber to bring them a reinvigorating potion called "Bride's Broth".
Knights returning from the Crusades introduced medieval society to the tradition of a bridal veil. The veil was another symbol of purity and was also believed to protect the bride from "the evil eye."
Garters became an important part of a medieval bride's wardrobe. As the couple hurried to their room, wedding guests followed and tried to grab the garter for good luck. Before this tradition, overzealous wedding guests often shredded the bride's clothing trying to grab a handful of lucky cloth. Tradition held that any man who gave his love a bride's garter would be guaranteed faithfulness.
Flowers were also important in a medieval wedding. Returning crusaders introduced medieval Europe to a Saracen tradition of weaving a crown out of orange blossoms. Only nobles could afford these very expensive blossoms.
Betrothal was an important medieval tradition. The prospective bride and groom appeared in front of a priest and made solemn promises. They then exchanged rings and kisses, then waited for roughly 40 days, when the wedding ceremony then took place. Grooms were required to pay a "deposit" at the betrothal, and should he try to back out of an agreement, he would have to pay a penalty. This was equal to four times the betrothal price.
Medieval brides often wore blue, the traditional color of purity, rather than today's white dress.
The traditional Maid of Honor began in England where the senior of the bridesmaids attended to the bride's every need the week or so before her wedding day. She was also responsible for creating the bouquet and other wedding decorations. On the wedding day she would help the bride dress.
During the feast, the bride and groom drank spiced wine from a fine chalice called the Wedding Cup. As midnight approached, guests tried to get into the newlywed's bedchamber to bring them a reinvigorating potion called "Bride's Broth".
Knights returning from the Crusades introduced medieval society to the tradition of a bridal veil. The veil was another symbol of purity and was also believed to protect the bride from "the evil eye."
Garters became an important part of a medieval bride's wardrobe. As the couple hurried to their room, wedding guests followed and tried to grab the garter for good luck. Before this tradition, overzealous wedding guests often shredded the bride's clothing trying to grab a handful of lucky cloth. Tradition held that any man who gave his love a bride's garter would be guaranteed faithfulness.
Flowers were also important in a medieval wedding. Returning crusaders introduced medieval Europe to a Saracen tradition of weaving a crown out of orange blossoms. Only nobles could afford these very expensive blossoms.
Insitutions
University of Oxford -"Claimed to be the oldest university in the English speaking world, there is no clear date of foundation of Oxford University, but teaching existed at Oxford in some form in 1096 and developed rapidly from 1167." Teaching suspended in 1209 (due to town execution of two scholars) and 1355 (due to the St. Scholastica riot), but was continuous during the English Civil War (1642–1651) - the University was Royalist. All Souls College and University College have repeatedly claimed[citation needed] that they own documents proving that teaching in Oxford started in the year 825, but these documents have never seen the public light. However, it was not until 1254 that Pope Innocent IV granted to Oxford the University charter by papal bull.
University of Naples Federico II - The first public university, founded by Frederick II, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.
University of Naples Federico II - The first public university, founded by Frederick II, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.
Nationality
The Mid-evil Europeans were from many Nations that stretched form one end of Europe to the other end.
Worldview
Medieval Europeans believed that God had made the world, and ruled it through his Church and the king. Few people, apart from priests and monks, could read and write. Ordinary people learned the stories of the Bible and the saints from preachers, and from the pictures painted in their churches.
Goverment
The government was an oligarchy. also known as a small group of people that controlls the government.