5 Reasons Why The Middle Ages Are Just So Cool

1. Tournaments

A great tradition throughout Europe during the Middle Ages was tournaments. Knights, skilled warriors, and nobility were invited to compete in military operation style games. People would come from all around the area to watch and the festivities would last for days. It was a great test of athleticism and skill and a great opportunity for the community to come together.

2. Chivalry

The romantic ideas of chivalry are only associated with the later period of the Middle Ages, but they are still responsible for the codes of honor that we still look to today. They included justice, courage, courtesy, and helping those that can’t help themselves. It is in stark contrast to the brutal methods previously used, which focused on might equals right.

3. Horsemanship

In the Middle Ages, horses were more than just for show. They were used for moving goods, working farms, by the military, and for going anywhere over a long distance. For this reason, many excelled in horsemanship. It is almost a lost art, since our modern society rarely relies on the noble horse. However, in the right hands, horses of the Middle Ages were adept and skilled creatures and things of beauty.

4. Storytelling

The tradition of storytelling dates back to the beginning of man’s ability to speak, but in the Middle Ages, storytellers were a celebrated and respected part of society. Called bards or troubadours at that time, they would travel through the continent, stopping at court, in villages, and in country estates to share their talents with the community, usually being paid handsomely. They were the major entertainers of their time, before printing presses made stories readily available in books.

5. Higher learning

Most people think of the period between the collapse of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance as a time of ignorance and darkness. In fact, there was much collaboration and intellectual advancement in this period. The world’s oldest universities were chartered in the Middle Ages. They fostered much learning and scientific advancements. The next time you cheer for your favorite mascot, you can thank those in the Middle Ages.

If you would like to learn more about The Middle Ages, click here.