

The history buffs clearly have a reason to attend. There's even documentation from the 11th century to prove it! It tells the story of a noble family that actually existed. More than just a spiffy theatrical experience, the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament is based on true history. You'll need a ticket to time travel, so secure Medieval Times Baltimore coupons before you go! Horses were the preferred mode of transportation, and silverware was often skipped at mealtime. Serf: A member of the lowest feudal class, attached to the land owned by a lord and required to perform labor in return for certain legal or customary rights.Journey to a different time period, when knights roamed about, and swordplay was commonplace. Hierarchy: Categorization of a group of people according to ability or status. In this vein, if John had a son Charles, he might be know as Charles, John’s son (later known as Charles Johnson). Over the centuries these turned into the last names of today (just drop “the”). This would then be added to by things such as trade – Edward the Metalsmith, Marcus the Carpenter or Jacob the Miller. To help differentiate, some were also known by the manor in which they resided – John became John of Cornwall Manor. In the medieval era, most people had only a given name, such as John. They invaded and captured England in 1066, eventually expanding to Italy, Sicily and the Holy Land. Normans were the descendants of Vikings and their western European colonies. Hungarians occupied lands taken in the eastern Europe. Goths, whom were called barbarians by the Romans, invaded Italy and Gaul. This is the root of the term Anglo-Saxon, which is often used to describe English peoples.Īrabs and Saracens invaded from the south settling in Spain, Italy, Portugal and southern Gaul (France).ĭanes invaded England and settled in the northeast of the country. Below is a list of the eight key tribes of the period.Īngles, Saxons, Jutes and Frisians invaded England. New waves of invasions took place in the early ninth century by tribes not previously known to invade European lands. These tribes waged battles and war to establish new territories and kingdoms, where the leaders were always heroes of battles for land. The Roman Empire was in decline and being invaded by many tribes in the third, fourth and fifth centuries. The blacksmith would also work as an armorer for the queen or count – making swords, shields and armor. The metalsmith, sometimes called blacksmith, had to first make his tools before he could make metal parts such as horseshoes, nails and door hinges. Thus, a master carpenter was always in demand and could earn high wages. Furnishing castles and estates was not only done for decorative purposes, but also to demonstrate prestige and status to visitors. Queen and nobles often sought the finest carpenters and kept them retained on their staffs as specialists. A knowledge of math, woodworking and the use of tools was required for all carpenters. To become a carpenter, it was usually necessary to join a guild as an apprentice and learn the craft. TradesmenĬarpenters were highly skilled and considered to be elite tradesmen. Often farmers, peasants and serfs brought their animals into their homes to protect them. The interior walls were generally made of wattle and daub – an arrangement of twigs weaved into a wall shape and coated with mud and straw to make a hard, plaster-like surface to keep out drafts. They built their own homes from wood and the roofs were thatched (made of bundles of reeds that have to be replaced periodically). Most worked the farm lands themselves or with the aid of peasants and serfs.įarmers and peasants lived in simple dwellings called cottages. Serfs, however, could do neither and were not permitted to relocate with out the lord’s approval.įarmers were a bit better off than peasants, as some owned their own farms. Everyday peasants could be educated and marry if they could afford it.
