Could you survive if you went back to the Middle Ages?

Have you ever wondered what life was like in the Middle Ages, a mysterious and harsh era? Have you ever imagined yourself traveling back in time and trying to live like a medieval person?

The Middle Ages, also known as the Dark Ages , began after the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century and lasted until the Renaissance began in the 14th century. After more than 200 years of peace and prosperity under the "Pax Romana", the collapse of the empire plunged Europe into a period of chaos where civilized norms were overthrown. Unless you were a noble, a knight, or the king himself, your life as a commoner in the Middle Ages was often characterized by hardship, disease, and fear.

During this period, sanitation was a luxury as health and living standards were virtually non-existent. Food was scarce, money was virtually non-existent for the poor, and disease was rampant in cramped quarters. Punishments for crimes, big and small, were often brutal. Yet, surprisingly, people managed to survive and even find some joy in life.

The Middle Ages are also known as the Dark Ages.

A Day in the Life of a Medieval Man

The life of a commoner in the Middle Ages began very early . At around 4am, church bells rang, marking the time for the first mass of the day. However, if you were not a member of the nobility, you would most likely skip this mass and start preparing for a long day at the market, which opened at 6am.

Peddlers, blacksmiths, tailors, and other craftsmen toiled throughout the day, hoping to earn enough money to buy food for their families. The market usually closed around 3 p.m., but by 8 p.m., all activity came to a halt as the city gates were closed and the night watchmen took their shifts.

While commoners struggled with frugal dinners, in castles, nobles feasted in a different way. Sumptuous food, free-flowing wine, and performances from clowns kept the atmosphere lively. Knights and nobles even participated in entertainment ranging from ballroom dancing to violent tournaments.

The life of a common man in the Middle Ages began early.

Survival in the Middle Ages depended on many factors , including social status, survival skills, and understanding of the culture and technology of the era. For a modern person, adapting to basic living conditions, diet, and social rules can be a great challenge.

Festivals and daily life

One interesting thing about the Middle Ages is that they held a lot of festivals . It is estimated that about 8 weeks of the year were devoted to holidays and events, most of which were church-related. However, in addition to religious ceremonies, towns also held many tournaments, in which knights and warriors faced each other in bloody sword fights, and there were even duels to the death between prisoners.

But alongside festivals and feasts, medieval life was also filled with strange trials. One common form of trial was the 'trial by ordeal,' in which the accused could be tried by being thrown into water. If the person sank, they were declared innocent, but if they floated, this was seen as evidence that they had renounced baptism and conspired with the devil. These rules, while absurd to us today, were a reality of the medieval legal system.

During this dark period, science and invention still developed.

Although many people refer to the Middle Ages as the Dark Ages , the truth is that this period was a time of great scientific and technological advancement. Intellectuals of the period were well aware that the Earth was round and also produced important inventions such as the mechanical clock and the printing press. However, these advances were not enough to change the harsh living conditions of the majority of the population. For example, rotten teeth were considered a symbol of wealth, as it showed that a person could afford sugar, a luxury.

The Disaster of the 14th Century

The 14th century marked the darkest period of the Middle Ages, when Europe was engulfed in famine, war, and especially the Black Death, which wiped out up to 60% of Europe's population, causing economic and social turmoil. It took more than 200 years for Europe to recover and overcome the devastating effects of this disaster.

The 14th century marked the darkest period of the Middle Ages.

The Middle Ages played a major role in shaping the development of Europe and the modern world . Although life was difficult and uncertain at that time, it paved the way for the Renaissance and the scientific revolution that followed. However, would you be willing to travel back in time to experience medieval life, or would you rather continue to be content with modern comforts? Perhaps a delicious meal at a medieval-themed restaurant would be a safer option than rinsing your mouth with vinegar after every meal!