Medieval Life, Death, and Marriage

Ryan M. Reeves (PhD Cambridge) is Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Twitter: / ryanmreeves Instagram: / ryreeves4
Website: www.gordonconwell.edu/academic...
For the entire course on 'Church History: Reformation to Modern', see the playlist: • Renaissance & Modern H...

[@dlwatib]

One thing missed about the guilds is that they also served, not just as unions and fraternities, but also confraternities. In other words, the guilds promoted the piety and charity of their members. Many stained glass windows in the cathedrals were sponsored by the guilds. They would sponsor or put on morality plays at the religious festivals or carry a saint's statue in procession on the feast day of the saint. They might sponsor a mass for the intentions of the members. A lot of lay religious expression in the middle ages was done through the guilds.

[@martelhermann5202]

I had a Danish Grandmother and Grandfather, 5 generations before me, in the mid to late 1700's. When as a young girl of 20, this grandmother of mine, married this grandfather of mine, she was his fourth wife. He had simply outlived 3 before her. He was 68 when they betrothed, and she had 2 children by him. The second child, who is my grandfather of 4 generations before me, was born one month after the death of this grandfather, his aged father. He was 72 at his passing. The grandmother was only 22 or 23 at the time. Interestingly, she went on to marry 3 more times, outliving each of her husbands, while also having several more children by the next 2 men in her life. I am always boggled when I think of these ancestors of mine in Denmark during the 1700's

[@whitelacey333]

1:37-Although Henry VII died shortly before Henry VIII wed Catherine of Aragon, she did, indeed, know him. Catherine and Henry's brother, Arthur, were wed in 1501 and Henry VII died in 1509.

[@PresidentSquigglyMiggly]

all your lectures are really fascinating, they've given me a fantastic insight into the history of the church and much more. thank you and please keep it up!

[@gilbertg7]

That was also a period of exceptionally good weather which could explain the growth of wealth and diminishing violence

[@barmeyroberts8262]

Smooth Cadence very gifted teacher.Thanks for your history lessons.

[@tallthinwavy3]

Another excellent lecture. Hope you will make more. Thanks for uploading these lectures.

[@MichaelWilliams-zm4fk]

Love the lectures, brother. Keep up the good work! Peace!

[@user-ub7xo3qz2b]

This is excellent!

[@hippo11222]

I would contend with what you are saying Dr. Reeves. In accordance to necessity they prefer serfdom of course, just as a person might prefer jail rather than living on the street. However the German Peasant Rebellion of 1525 seems to suggest that when they thought that alternatives were available, they would jump at the chance in pursuing said alternatives. The list of demands from the peasants included calling for an end to serfdom. They also demanded an end to the Todfall Tax (inheritance tax) among other things. A criticism was levied against Ratione soli (according to the soil) in which enclosures would be constructed around brooks, streams and meadows. Basically it was calling for an end to appropriating common land. How do you interpret these events, of which I'm sure you're familiar? Luther commented on them after all.

[@marcobagut]

I am so glad I discovered these videos! I really enjoy them! Thank you.

[@markadams7597]

Excellent points about medieval faith-memory of the layity. Not sure that Chaucer is England's greatest poet, although he is certainly in the top three (along with Shakespeare and Mallory). Great vid thanks!

[@ryan82scott]

Such an important point around the ten minute mark about memory... this is one of the reasons that I have rejected owning a "smart" phone in recent years. Before I had one (that I rid myself of after 1 1/2 years), I memorized the names of all my students, their parents, addresses and phone numbers without much of an effort. Even now, that kind of memorization skill eludes me.

[@sallyjo7119]

Good for you, I don't know how you can function in the modern world without a smart phone.

[@constancemontfort8496]

My ancestor, Simon de Montfort, wrote the Provisions of Oxford and established the First English Parliament. He was murdered in 1265 by Edward I. Without him, you would have no limited monarchy and no Parliament.

[@11Kralle]

Curious how much of the guilds is still to be found in the german speaking world. Your lecture reminded me how different the medieval cultures even between the european 'states' were. It must be mind boggling for a north american to grasp these differences, that always conflict the scholars of the old world until today. A little question: did you upload a video about Lanfranc of Bec? I couldn't find it...

[@jjroseknows777]

I am loving your teaching. Thank you.

[@edwardpodolski6612]

Excellent lecture Ryan!!

[@garychynne1377]

I ENJOY THE PAINTINGS. A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. SEEING IS BELIEVING. GOOD POINTS OF VIEW ALSO. WOULDN'T WANT T' BE THERE WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS. YOUR LAST SENTENCE IS HILARIOUS. LIKE OUR SERF ANCESTOR'S USE T' SAY--KEEP ON SURFIN'. THANK YOU AND HAVE FUN GARE

[@cptechno]

I like the explanation of serfdom. Serfdom is roughly equivalent to be permanently employed, not having to wonder where and how revenue is come from. Yes, serfs would rather be serf than freedman.

[@joehawkins9122]

Thank you for your knowledge and videos.

[@ScottiBishop]

dope channel

[@lilliedoubleyou3865]

*still holding out hope that rote memorization will make a comeback* Research is starting to take a more positive view of it as cognitive stimulation. Sure seems like the generations that got a lot of "rote memorization" in schools ended up knowing more than...well, kids today.

[@thomasjordan3241]

Dr Reeves - loyal subscriber here. I wonder, do you know of any data that compares mortality rates of this period with those of Eastern Asia during the same time periods? I am curious how Japan and China specifically may have fared during these times.

[@RyanReevesM]

I don't! Wish I had them to give you, though. Sorry! :)

[@juleswoodbury2387]

i have a question about medecine. Would europeans not use hashisch and opium like the muslims did for painkillers, for example to cut a limb or to pull a tooth? And if not did they use alcohol and cauterisation to desinfect a wound? Would they eat clay and coal to not die of diarreah? I mean it's certainly not as effective as modern day medecine but it works, my question is if europeans had basic knowledge of medecine after the crusades or not.

[@jenna2431]

At 5:20, you have an extra comma between "Medieval" and "Life." If you're beholden to the Oxford serial comma, you could simply move it to after "Death." :)

[@chrissearle8074]

whoop! York shout out!

[@juleswoodbury2387]

how do you only have 30000 views, smh...

[@PetarMalyov]

The population of Constantinople was above 500 000 back in the middle ages.

[@jdub117]

Wonderful stuff, Ryan. Thank you so much for your YT presentations. I stumbled onto this lecture on face book. I desire to friend you if you are on fb. I am not a PhD., but have a BS (commerce-accountancy), MBA and am a CPA (CA in the UK). I have eclectic interests and am a voracious reader of history, biography and well-written fiction. You come off as a person with whom I would, easily strike up a friendship. Cheers.

[@thelawnranger4408]

Westminster Abbey is not in the city of London

[@SunriseFireberry]

Poet's Corner. Finally. CS Lewis. OK then. JRR Tolkien isn't memorialized there even now. Then JRRT won't have been 50 years dead till 2023.

[@constancemontfort8496]

There were no pastors. They were monks. Roman Catholic.

[@jajanesaddictions]

I would never have wanted to be a woman in the Medieval times. no.

[@julianfitz806]

9:30 the "chearch had a big task on its hands..." Wasend the pigest problem of the chearch at this time that the Poap was selected from the Roman nobility and that half of the high ranking preasts in europa ware second suns of the europeen nobility so the was no "real" releatius intent in the chearch comand structure? PS: I don´t want to say that not the most "interlectuals" of thet times were living in monestries, which were hevens for free thinking (as long as they didn´t publish their thoughts)

[@FOMC6780]

With all due respect Mr. Reeves, the Christian Church started in the First Century with the Lord Jesus and the Apostles. What you are describing is after the death of the Apostles the falling away of the Church called the Apostate Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.