Key Ideas

• Expectations of of the Nobles vs that of Peasants.
• Importance of Christianity.

When modern students look back on the lives of our Medieval English counterparts, these two major elements should stick out as major distinctions. Evident in the work of Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Canterbury Tales” should serve as an example of just how important these concepts were. There is a clear distinction between how the nobles and peasants present themselves. The work they do is quite inequitable as well. There may be a large disparity of wealth in the modern day, however today there is a means of one born to any station to advance his place in life. Outside of knightly merit exhibited in battle, peasants were essentially doomed to a life of little value.

It may also be observed that the church held quite a bit more sway than any currently does. High ranking members of the church were able to get away with certain abuses of power. Their station was to be respected and their service to the Lord, not the people, admired.