Edad Media en 10 minutos

Summary

The script offers a comprehensive overview of the Middle Ages, a pivotal era in Western civilization spanning from the 5th to the 15th century. It begins with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and concludes with the discovery of America or the fall of Constantinople and the invention of the printing press. The script delves into the transition from slave-based to feudal production, the cultural blending of classical with Christian and Islamic cultures, and the political fragmentation following the Roman Empire's decline. It outlines the periodization into the Early and Late Middle Ages and touches on significant events like the Hundred Years' War and the rise of Charlemagne's empire. The script also explores the development of feudalism, the emergence of cities and Gothic architecture, the establishment of universities, and the preservation of knowledge in monasteries. It highlights the social structure, with emperors and kings at the top, the church, and nobles, down to the peasantry, and the role of religion in maintaining social order.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Middle Ages lasted from the 5th to the 15th century, starting with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and ending with the discovery of America in 1492 or alternatively with the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
• 🛡 The Hundred Years' War (which actually lasted 116 years) was a feudal conflict between France and England over control of territories held by English kings since 1154.
• 🌾 The transition from a slave-based production system to a feudal one marked a significant shift in the Middle Ages.
• 🏛 The fall of centralized Roman structures led to the decentralization of power and the rise of feudalism.
• 🕌 The Middle Ages saw a cultural blend of classical culture with Christian and Islamic monotheistic cultures, each in their respective regions.
• 🗓️ The period is divided into the Early or High Middle Ages (5th to 10th centuries) and the Late Middle Ages (11th to 15th centuries).
• 👑 Charlemagne expanded the Frankish kingdoms into the Carolingian Empire, which included much of Western and Central Europe, and was crowned 'Imperator Augustus' by Pope Leo III in 800.
• 🏰 The rise of feudalism in the 11th century and its peak in the 12th and 13th centuries was centered around the region between the Rhine and Loire rivers, dominated by the Duchy of Normandy.
• 🛡️ Feudalism was a system of mutual commitments, primarily military, between a vassal and a lord, with the vassal swearing loyalty and providing military and political support in exchange for land and jurisdiction.
• 🏙️ The emergence of medieval cities around castles led to the development of 'burghers' and the Gothic architectural style, including the construction of magnificent cathedrals.
• 🎓 The establishment of universities during the Middle Ages allowed for the study of the liberal arts and specialized fields such as law, medicine, theology, and philosophy, with a strong influence from Aristotle's philosophy.

Q & A

What is the historical time frame of the Middle Ages in Western civilization?

The Middle Ages span from the 5th to the 15th century, with its beginning marked by the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and its end with the discovery of America in 1492 or alternatively with the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

What significant event marked the start of the Middle Ages?

The start of the Middle Ages is commonly marked by the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD.

How is the Middle Ages period typically divided?

The Middle Ages is typically divided into two major periods: the Early or High Middle Ages (5th to 10th centuries) and the Late Middle Ages (11th to 15th centuries).

What was the purpose of the Hundred Years' War between France and England?

The purpose of the Hundred Years' War was to resolve who would control the large possessions accumulated by the English kings since 1154 in French territories due to the ascension of Henry II Plantagenet to the English throne.

What economic system replaced slavery during the Middle Ages?

The economic system of slavery was replaced by a feudal system of servitude during the Middle Ages.

How did the fall of the Western Roman Empire lead to a change in power structures?

The fall of the Western Roman Empire led to the decentralization of power structures, resulting in a dispersion of power and the rise of feudalism.

What cultural blending occurred during the Middle Ages?

There was a blending of classical culture with Christian and Islamic monotheistic cultures, each within their own regions.

What significant change in religious landscape occurred in the year 620?

In the year 620, Muhammad emerged in Mecca and founded the monotheistic religion of Islam.

How did the expansion of Islam impact Western Europe?

The presence of Muslims as a rival civilization, controlling the southern half of the Mediterranean basin and its maritime traffic, forced Western Europe to close in on itself for several centuries.

What was the significance of the Battle of Poitiers in 732?

The Battle of Poitiers in 732 marked the beginning of the retreat of Muslim forces in Europe, led by Charles Martel.

What was the role of the feudal system in the society of the Middle Ages?

The feudal system was based on a series of ties and obligations that supported commitments, mainly military, between a free man (the vassal) and another free man in a superior position (the lord), establishing a pyramidal network of vassal relationships.

How did the rise of cities and the term 'bourgeoisie' come about?

As people gathered around castles to trade and sell their goods, new artisan and merchant districts formed, leading to the creation of guilds and the rise of cities. The inhabitants of these emerging cities were called 'burghers,' from which the term 'bourgeoisie' was derived.

What were the Gothic cathedrals and how did they contribute to the culture of the Middle Ages?

Gothic cathedrals were magnificent architectural achievements that arose in cities like Chartres, Paris, Cologne, Leon, and Burgos. They represented the evolution of the Romanesque style and were a testament to the cultural and artistic developments of the Middle Ages.

What were the seven liberal arts taught in medieval universities?

The seven liberal arts were composed of the 'trivium' (grammar, logic, and rhetoric) and the 'quadrivium' (geometry, astronomy, arithmetic, and music). Additionally, specialized studies such as law, medicine, theology, and philosophy could be pursued.

How did the philosophy of Aristotle influence medieval thought?

Aristotle's philosophy, which had reached Europe through Arab learning centers, was fundamental in shaping medieval thought. Scholasticism, the dominant medieval philosophy, aimed to systematize the Christian worldview using Aristotelian terms. The most famous representative of this school was Saint Thomas Aquinas.

What role did monasteries play in the preservation of knowledge during the Middle Ages?

Monasteries served as centers of civilization, preserving, copying, and conserving manuscripts from antiquity. They were also places where innovations such as crop rotation and brewing techniques were introduced.

What was the significance of the 'chanson de geste' and the 'trouvères' in medieval society?

The 'chanson de geste' and the 'trouvères' were significant as they were the oral tradition of poets and musicians who spread the epic deeds of heroes and tales of courtly love, contributing to the cultural and literary life of the Middle Ages.

What were the Crusades and what was their objective?

The Crusades were a series of military campaigns aimed at reestablishing Christian control over the Holy Land, the geographical region encompassing all sites where biblical scenes took place.

How was the social hierarchy structured in a feudal regime?

At the top of the social pyramid were emperors or kings. Below them were the church hierarchy and the nobility, including dukes, marquesses, and counts. Lower down were barons, knights, and so on. The clergy was also divided into high clergy from noble and royal families, and low clergy from more modest backgrounds. At the base of the pyramid were the majority of the population, the peasants, including serfs with limited rights.

What was the difference between a serf and a slave in medieval society?

A serf, unlike a slave, could not generally be sold separately from the land they worked on, and legally, they were considered free individuals, despite their limited rights and status.

How did religion compensate for the injustices of the medieval social hierarchy?

Religion provided a form of compensation for the injustices of the social hierarchy by promising that any disadvantage in this life would be balanced by an advantage in the afterlife.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Overview of the Middle Ages

The Middle Ages, spanning from the 5th to the 15th century, marks a significant period in Western civilization. It begins with the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD and concludes with the discovery of America in 1492 or, alternatively, with the fall of Constantinople in 1453. This era is characterized by the transition from a slave-based economy to a feudal system and the decentralization of power following the decline of the Roman Empire. Culturally, there was a blending of classical culture with Christian and Islamic monotheistic cultures. The Middle Ages is divided into the Early Middle Ages (5th to 10th centuries) and the Late Middle Ages (11th to 15th centuries). Key historical events include the Hundred Years' War between France and England and the rise of Charlemagne's Carolingian Empire. The script also touches on the Islamic expansion following the death of Muhammad in 632 and the Battle of Poitiers in 732, which marked the beginning of the Muslim forces' retreat in Europe.

05:06

🌾 Feudal Society and Cultural Developments

The script delves into the economic and social structure of feudal society, where land became crucial as trade and currency circulation decreased. Agriculture was the backbone of the feudal economy, which was self-sufficient, and rural life dominated over urban. Feudalism reached its maturity in the 11th century and peaked in the 12th and 13th centuries, with its origins in the region between the Rhine and Loire rivers. The feudal system was based on a series of commitments, particularly military, between a vassal and a lord. The vassal pledged loyalty and service, mainly military aid and political advice, in exchange for control over land and people, known as a fief or lordship. This relationship was confirmed through ceremonies of homage and investiture, creating a pyramidal network of vassalage. The script also describes the rise of medieval cities around castles, the emergence of the Gothic architectural style, the founding of universities, and the preservation of ancient manuscripts in monasteries. It highlights the role of jongleurs and troubadours in spreading epic tales and the concept of 'courtly love.' The social hierarchy of feudal society is depicted with the emperor or kings at the top, followed by the church and nobility, and the majority of the population, the peasants, at the base.

10:21

🎵 Medieval Music Interlude

This section of the script features a series of medieval music interludes, providing an auditory representation of the era's cultural atmosphere. The inclusion of music underscores the importance of art and sound in the daily life and ceremonies of the Middle Ages, offering a glimpse into the aural experiences of the time.

Keywords

💡Middle Ages

The Middle Ages is a historical period of Western civilization, spanning from the 5th to the 15th century. It is characterized by the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the rise of feudalism. In the video, the Middle Ages is divided into two main periods: the Early or High Middle Ages (5th to 10th centuries) and the Late Middle Ages (11th to 15th centuries), highlighting the transition from a slave-based production mode to a feudal servitude-based one.

💡Feudalism

Feudalism is a system of social, economic, and political organization that was prevalent during the Middle Ages. It is defined by the relationship between a lord and his vassals, where the vassal pledges loyalty and military service in exchange for land and protection. The script mentions the establishment of feudalism as a replacement for the centralized structures of the Roman Empire and its peak during the 12th and 13th centuries.

💡Carolingian Empire

The Carolingian Empire was a powerful Frankish state that expanded across much of Western and Central Europe. It was founded by Charlemagne, who was crowned 'Imperator Augustus' by Pope Leo III in 800 AD. The script discusses how Charlemagne's empire was divided among his grandsons after his death, leading to the formation of the Holy Roman Empire.

💡Holy Roman Empire

The Holy Roman Empire was a multi-ethnic complex of territories in Western, Central, and Southern Europe. It was established after the division of Charlemagne's empire and is mentioned in the script as the result of Germany gaining control over Northern Italy, with the support of the Pope, leading to the creation of a Germanic Roman Empire.

💡Crusades

The Crusades were a series of religious wars sanctioned by the Latin Church in the medieval period. Their aim was to regain Christian control of the Holy Land, which includes significant biblical sites. The script briefly touches on the Crusades as a theme in medieval history and literature.

💡Chivalry

Chivalry refers to the medieval European code of conduct of the knightly class. It involved a set of moral, social, and religious rules that knights were expected to follow. The script alludes to chivalry in the context of the 'courtly love' and the romantic and noble ideals associated with knights and their love affairs.

💡Monasteries

Monasteries were Christian institutions that served as centers of spiritual, cultural, and intellectual life during the Middle Ages. They were responsible for preserving and copying manuscripts, as well as contributing to advancements in agriculture and brewing. The script highlights monasteries as 'islands of civilization' that played a crucial role in maintaining knowledge and culture.

💡Gothic Architecture

Gothic architecture is a style that emerged during the High and Late Middle Ages, characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses. The script mentions the construction of magnificent cathedrals in cities like Chartres, Paris, Cologne, and Burgos as examples of Gothic architecture.

💡Universities

Universities in the Middle Ages were institutions of higher learning that taught the seven liberal arts, as well as specialized subjects like law, medicine, theology, and philosophy. The script refers to the establishment of universities in cities like Bologna, Oxford, Cambridge, Salamanca, and Paris, emphasizing their role in the intellectual and cultural development of the period.

💡Scholastics

Scholasticism was a method of learning in medieval Europe that sought to reconcile Christian theology with classical philosophy, particularly the works of Aristotle. The script identifies St. Thomas Aquinas as a prominent figure in scholasticism, illustrating the integration of faith and reason in medieval thought.

💡Serfdom

Serfdom was a condition of bondage in which peasants were tied to the land they worked on and were subject to the authority of the lord of the manor. The script explains that serfs had fewer rights than free men, but unlike slaves, they were legally free and could not be sold separately from the land.

Highlights

The Middle Ages is a historical period of Western civilization, spanning from the 5th to the 15th century.

The beginning of the Middle Ages is marked by the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD.

The end of the Middle Ages is often associated with the discovery of America in 1492, or alternatively with the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

The Hundred Years' War, which lasted 116 years, was rooted in feudalism and aimed to resolve control over territories held by English kings in France.

The transition from a slave-based production system to a feudal system of servitude occurred during the Middle Ages.

There was a decentralization of power following the disintegration of the centralized structures of the Roman Empire.

Culturally, there was a blending of classical culture with Christian and Islamic monotheistic cultures.

The Middle Ages is divided into two main periods: the Early or High Middle Ages (5th to 10th centuries) and the Late Middle Ages (11th to 15th centuries).

The Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, played a significant role in the Christianization of Slavic peoples.

Germanic tribes from Northern Europe established kingdoms and adopted Roman law and Christianity.

The rise of Islam in the 7th century led to the expansion of the Arab Peninsula and control over significant Mediterranean territories.

The Battle of Poitiers in 732 marked the beginning of the retreat of Muslim forces in Europe.

Charlemagne expanded the Frankish kingdoms into the Carolingian Empire, which included much of Western and Central Europe.

The Holy Roman Empire emerged after the division of Charlemagne's empire and the coronation of Otto I as emperor in 962.

Feudalism reached maturity in the 11th century and peaked in the 12th and 13th centuries, with its origins in the region between the Rhine and Loire rivers.

Feudalism is a system based on a series of bonds and obligations supporting commitments, mainly military, between a vassal and a lord.

Agricultural self-sufficiency was the basis of the feudal economy, with rural life dominating over urban life.

The emergence of medieval cities and the term 'bourgeoisie' is linked to the development around castles and the trade of goods.

Gothic architecture and universities flourished in medieval cities, contributing to significant cultural and educational advancements.

Medieval philosophy, particularly scholasticism, aimed to systematize the Christian worldview using Aristotelian terms, with Saint Thomas Aquinas as a prominent figure.

Monasteries served as centers of civilization, preserving and copying manuscripts from antiquity.

Jugglers and troubadours played a crucial role in spreading oral traditions of epic heroism and courtly love.

The Crusades were a series of military campaigns aimed at restoring Christian control over the Holy Land.

The social pyramid of feudal society consisted of emperors or kings, the church, nobility, clergy, and the peasantry at the base.

Serfs had limited rights but were legally free men, distinct from slaves who could be sold separately from the land.

Religion compensated for the injustices of the hierarchical society, promising a better afterlife for those disadvantaged in the current world.

Transcripts

La Edad Media es el período histórico de la civilización occidental

comprendido entre el siglo V y el siglo XV. Se suele situar su inicio en el año

476 con la caída del imperio romano de occidente y su fin en el año

1492 con el descubrimiento de América,

aunque también se sitúa en

1453 con la caída de Constantinopla,

fecha que tiene la singularidad de coincidir con la invención de la imprenta por parte de

Gutenberg y también con el fin de la Guerra de los 100 años, una guerra que en realidad duró

116 años entre los reinos de Francia e Inglaterra.

Esta guerra fue de raíz feudal pues su propósito era resolver quién controlaría las enormes posesiones acumuladas por los reyes ingleses desde

1154 en territorios franceses debido al ascenso al trono inglés de Enrique II Plantagenet. Tuvo implicaciones internacionales

y finalmente, después de numerosos avatares, se saldó con la retirada inglesa de tierras francesas.

En la Edad Media se sustituyó el modo de producción esclavista por un modo de producción de servidumbre feudal.

También se fue produciendo una descomposición de las estructuras centralizadas del Imperio Romano que dio paso a una dispersión del poder.

En lo ideológico y cultural se produjo un mestizaje de la cultura clásica con las culturas monoteístas cristiana e islámica, cada una en su espacio.

La edad media suele dividirse en dos grandes periodos: temprana o Alta Edad Media, siglos V a X, y Baja Edad Media,

siglos XI a XV.

Como hemos visto, la Edad Media duró unos mil años años, y en mil años ocurren muchas cosas.

Por un lado, en Oriente tenemos la historia del Imperio Romano de Oriente,

apodado como el Imperio Bizantino, con la capital en Constantinopla, donde se hablaba griego.

Desde aquí se cristianizarán los pueblos eslavos como los serbios, los búlgaros y los rusos.

Por otro lado, en Europa occidental tenemos a un montón de pueblos germanos, bárbaros para los romanos, procedentes del norte de Europa,

que fueron descendiendo en sucesivas oleadas hacia el sur y se fueron asentando

formando reinos. Estos pueblos aseguraron y fusionaron con su cultura muchos rasgos de la civilización griega y latina,

adoptando el derecho romano y el cristianismo como religión oficial. En el año

620 en la meca surge la figura de Mahoma, que crea una religión monoteísta: el Islam.

A su muerte, en el

632, la Península Arábiga era ya en su mayoría

musulmana. Sus sucesores tomaron el título de califa e iniciaron una expansión territorial que llegó desde la Península Ibérica hasta la India.

La presencia de los musulmanes como una civilización rival alternativa asentada en la mitad sur de la cuenca del Mediterráneo,

cuyo tráfico marítimo pasan a controlar, obligó al cierre en sí misma de la Europa occidental durante varios siglos.

Para algunos historiadores este hecho significó el verdadero comienzo de la Edad Media. En el año

732, en la batalla de Poitiers, con Carlos Martel a la cabeza de un ejército, comienza el retroceso de las fuerzas musulmanas en Europa.

El nieto de aquel Carlos Martel, Carlomagno, expandió los distintos reinos francos hasta transformarlos en un imperio, el Imperio Carolingio,

al que incorporó gran parte de Europa occidental y central.

Conquistó Italia y fue coronado "Imperator Augustus" por el papa León III el día de Navidad del año 800.

A su muerte el imperio se acabaría dividiendo entre sus nietos.

Alemania y Francia se disputan el norte de Italia. Gana Alemania, que obtiene en favor del papa y la corona imperial.

El resultado es el Sacro Imperio Romano Germánico.

En el año 962 el rey alemán Otón I, llamado el Grande, es coronado emperador.

Tras la desintegración del Imperio Carolingio y el fracaso del proyecto político centralizador de Carlomagno la debilidad de los reyes se hizo evidente.

Sus sucesores se vieron obligados a ceder gran parte de su autoridad a los condes y marqueses para obtener su apoyo.

Para asegurarse la lealtad de estos nobles los monarcas les entregaron tierras: los feudos.

Por otro lado las invasiones de vikingos,

sarracenos y húngaros aumentaron la inseguridad general, lo que obligó a los reyes a encomendar a los nobles la defensa de sus territorios.

Nace la figura del caballero. El feudalismo

alcanzó su madurez en el siglo XI y tuvo su máximo apogeo en los siglos XII y XIII. Su cuna fue la región comprendida entre

los ríos Rin y Loira,

dominada por el ducado de Normandía. Por feudalismo entendemos al sistema basado en una serie de lazos y obligaciones que respaldan compromisos,

generalmente militares, entre un hombre libre, el vasallo, y otro hombre libre en situación superior, el señor.

El vasallo juraba fidelidad a su señor y se comprometía a cumplir determinadas servidumbres, principalmente de auxilio militar y consejo político:

"auxilium et consilium", recibiendo como

contraprestación un beneficio, habitualmente el control y jurisdicción sobre la tierra y la población de su feudo o señorío. A esto se le conoce como

vasallaje. El vasallaje se confirmaba a través de dos ceremonias: el homenaje y la investidura.

La posibilidad de que un vasallo tomará bajo su protección a su vez a otros hombres que pasaban a ser sus vasallos

estableció una red piramidal de relaciones vasalláticas. Al final del video veremos cómo era la típica pirámide de una sociedad feudal.

Acabamos de ver cómo se pasó de un estado romano basado en el poder central y un vasto territorio a un estado basado en vínculos

personales

fragmentado en los distintos feudos. En ellos el señor acapara las funciones propias del estado como, por ejemplo, legislar,

imponer impuestos y administrar justicia.

La tierra adquiere una enorme importancia económica al disminuir el comercio y la circulación monetaria.

Por eso, la agricultura es la base de la economía feudal, una economía de autoconsumo. La vida rural predomina frente a la urbana.

Un feudo característico se componía de una aldea rodeada de terrenos para cultivar

protegida por un castillo regentado por un señor. A este castillo también se le denominaba "burgo". Por

extensión se aplicó el nombre de "burgo" a las poblaciones que se desarrollan en torno a estas construcciones.

Así surgieron las grandes ciudades medievales.

A los habitantes de estas nacientes ciudades se les llamaban "burgueses",

naciendo el término "burgués". A estos centros acudían los campesinos a vender sus excedentes:

cereales, frutas, carne, a la vez que compraban artículos de uso cotidiano elaborados por los artesanos

(herramientas, cerámica, ropa...). Se fueron creando nuevos barrios de artesanos y mercaderes que se agrupaban en gremios.

Fue en estas ciudades donde nació el estilo gótico, una evolución del románico. Estas ciudades vieron el levantamiento de prodigiosas catedrales:

Chartres, París, Colonia, León o Burgos se cuentan entre las obras arquitectónicas más

extraordinarias que ha construido el hombre. También las ciudades vieron el nacer de las universidades como las de Bolonia, Oxford, Cambridge,

Salamanca o París. En ellas se aprendían las siete artes liberales compuestas por el "trivium" (gramática, lógica y retórica) y el "quadrivium"

(geometría, astronomía, aritmética y música). También podían cursarse estudios

especializados como derecho, medicina, teología y filosofía.

La filosofía dominante era la de Aristóteles, cuyos textos habían llegado a Europa a través de los centros de enseñanza árabes.

La filosofía medieval, la escolástica, se proponía fundamentalmente sistematizar la concepción cristiana del mundo en términos

aristotélicos. El representante más célebre de esta corriente fue santo Tomás de Aquino

Catedrales majestuosas,

universidades... Vaya, parece que la Edad Media no es esa época oscura que siempre nos han querido vender... Y todavía no hemos mencionado los monasterios.

Los monasterios también fueron islas de civilización. De ellos no sólo emanaba

espiritualidad, cultura y cristianismo, también fueron los que introdujeron la roturación de los bosques,

beneficiosos inventos como la buena cerveza, o maravilloso remedios naturales. Pero los monasterios fueron

fundamentalmente grandes escritorios donde se salvaron, copiaron y conservaron los manuscritos que hemos heredado de la Antigüedad.

Estas islas de civilización no eran lo común dentro de la sociedad medieval. La mayoría de la población era analfabeta.

Aquí los juglares y trovadores jugaron un papel muy importante.

Eran músicos y poetas que divulgaron oralmente las hazañas épicas de héroes. La Edad Media es la época de los grandes

caballeros y los grandes cantares de gesta como el Cantar de Mío Cid, la Canción de Roldán, Beowulf o el Cantar de los Nibelungos.

Estos poetas también nos hablaron del "amor cortés", que expresaba el amor de forma noble sincera y

caballeresca. El mayor ejemplo lo encontramos en la historia artúrica de Tristán e Isolda. La poesía trovadoresca

era sobre todo de temática amorosa, pero también podría centrarse en aspectos políticos, morales,

religiosos, etcétera.

Otro de los temas podía ser el de las Cruzadas,

una serie de campañas militares con el objetivo de restablecer el control cristiano sobre Tierra Santa, el territorio

geográfico que comprende todos los sitios en los cuales se desarrollaron escenas bíblicas.

Para terminar veamos cómo era la pirámide social de un régimen feudal: en lo alto de la cúspide se encontraban el emperador o los reyes;

para el siguiente escalón vamos a establecer dos columnas diferenciadas, pues la iglesia constituía una jerarquía paralela a la nobleza.

Dentro de la alta nobleza tenemos a duques, marqueses y condes, cuyos títulos derivan de gobernadores del imperio carolingio.

Un escalafón más bajo tenemos a barones, caballeros, etcétera.

En la rama del clero también distinguimos entre alto clero, que procedía de la alta nobleza y las familias reales, y el bajo clero, que

procedía de familias acomodadas de campesinos y artesanos.

En la base de la pirámide tendríamos al 90% de la población:

el campesinado. Los campesinos con menos derechos, como el de no poder abandonar el feudo, eran los siervos

La diferencia principal entre un siervo y un esclavo

consistía en que, en general, ,un siervo no podía ser vendido por separado de la tierra que trabajaba, y en que jurídicamente

era un hombre libre.

Era una sociedad profundamente

estática ya que cada individuo permanecía en la clase social en la que había nacido.

Las injusticias que comportaba esta jerarquía eran compensadas por la religión. Toda situación de desventaja en este mundo se

compensaba con una situación de ventaja en el siguiente.

(música medieval)

(música medieval)

(música medieval)

(música medieval)