During the Dark Ages, a person's occupation was of the most important factors to determine a person's social class and how it differed from another. In feudalism, different people had different roles in society and worked together in many ways to complete tasks.
Perhaps the most important occupation of the Middle Ages was having the role of being the pope. Being the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, the pope's job was an essential part of everyone's life in Europe. Since the vast majority of Europeans at the time were Catholic, they looked to the pope for advice and knowledge, even referring to him as, "God on Earth." The pope, who would live in Rome, had the ability to make changes in the way mass way performed, give knowledge to society regarding religion, and decide who can be a part of the church with the ability to appoint or excommunicate clergy members ("Popes in the Middle Ages").
Another great power in medieval society was royalty. The most important and prestigious role in royalty was the king. With his power, he would create laws, remove poverty, and protect his citizens. Second in command was typically the king's wife, the queen. If the king was not able to rule on a given day due to illness, anger, or travel, the queen would substitute and complete the tasks of the king, though these occurrences were unlikely. The queen would usually be a hostess or event planner on a day she was not working. Below the king and queen was the prince and princess, who were usually children of the higher royalty. The prince was heir to the throne and often spent his time helping to make court decisions regarding the rule over a kingdom. The princess, who had very little power in rule, would typically marry a prince from another kingdom to support friendly relations between royalties ("Social Classes in the Middle Ages").
Perhaps the most important occupation of the Middle Ages was having the role of being the pope. Being the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, the pope's job was an essential part of everyone's life in Europe. Since the vast majority of Europeans at the time were Catholic, they looked to the pope for advice and knowledge, even referring to him as, "God on Earth." The pope, who would live in Rome, had the ability to make changes in the way mass way performed, give knowledge to society regarding religion, and decide who can be a part of the church with the ability to appoint or excommunicate clergy members ("Popes in the Middle Ages").
Another great power in medieval society was royalty. The most important and prestigious role in royalty was the king. With his power, he would create laws, remove poverty, and protect his citizens. Second in command was typically the king's wife, the queen. If the king was not able to rule on a given day due to illness, anger, or travel, the queen would substitute and complete the tasks of the king, though these occurrences were unlikely. The queen would usually be a hostess or event planner on a day she was not working. Below the king and queen was the prince and princess, who were usually children of the higher royalty. The prince was heir to the throne and often spent his time helping to make court decisions regarding the rule over a kingdom. The princess, who had very little power in rule, would typically marry a prince from another kingdom to support friendly relations between royalties ("Social Classes in the Middle Ages").
Slightly below the royalty was a class of nobles. Nobles often assisted royalty in decision making and had a job similar to the king's. When the Roman Empire collapsed, government organization collapsed too and these nobles filled those spots. As well as helping the royalty rule, nobles were also wealthy landowners. They spent much of their time advising peasants on their work in fields to harvest crops, making sure that knights were protecting the fields. These knights, who agreed to a strict code of conduct called chivalry, spent their time protecting the lord's manor. They protected the crops and the peasants working too. A peasant's payment was protection by the knights and food scraps left over from royalty.
We can see how depending on a person's social class in Medieval Times, their role in life and view can greatly change. The highest class had a very important job while the peasants had a job without as much pressure. Throughout the Middle Ages, occupation was a way to express a person's social class in medieval feudalism.
We can see how depending on a person's social class in Medieval Times, their role in life and view can greatly change. The highest class had a very important job while the peasants had a job without as much pressure. Throughout the Middle Ages, occupation was a way to express a person's social class in medieval feudalism.
Further Research:
For more information on the occupations of people in the Middle Ages, visit these links which describes how jobs differed from one person to another:
sites.google.com/site/lifeinthemiddleagesvft/feudal-system
http://www.historyonthenet.com/medieval-life-feudalism/
For more information on the occupations of people in the Middle Ages, visit these links which describes how jobs differed from one person to another:
sites.google.com/site/lifeinthemiddleagesvft/feudal-system
http://www.historyonthenet.com/medieval-life-feudalism/