By Tim Lambert Society In The Middle Ages Under the feudal system, introduced by the Normans society was like a pyramid. At the top of the pyramid was the king. Below him were the barons or tenants-in-chief. The king granted them land and in return, they had to provide so many soldiers to fight for… Continue reading Life in the Middle Ages
Category: Daily Life in the Past
Life in the New Testament
By Tim Lambert New Testament Society In 63 BC the Roman general Pompey captured Jerusalem. From that time the Romans ruled Israel. It was divided into three parts, Galilee in the north, Samaria in the middle, and Judea in the south. The Jews had to pay taxes to Rome, which they resented. Jewish tax collectors… Continue reading Life in the New Testament
Life in the Old Testament
By Tim Lambert The Israelites were monotheists. They worshiped only one God. One of the 12 tribes of Israel, the Levites, were priests. Since they did not own land the other tribes gave the Levites one-tenth of their crops and domestic animals. Furthermore, 48 towns in Israel were set aside for the Levites. In return,… Continue reading Life in the Old Testament
Life in Viking Times
By Tim Lambert Viking Society Upper-class Vikings were called Jarls (from which we derive our word, Earl). Below them was a class of farmers and craftsmen called Karls. At the bottom of the heap was a class of slaves called thralls. Slavery was common in the world at that time. It was accepted as an… Continue reading Life in Viking Times
Middle Class Life in the Late 19th Century
By Tim Lambert In the late 19th century about 80% of the population of the population was working class. To be considered middle class, you had to have at least one servant. Most servants were female. (Male servants were much more expensive because men were paid much higher wages). Throughout the century ‘service’ was a… Continue reading Middle Class Life in the Late 19th Century
Technology and Inventions Since 1948
By Tim Lambert In the era after 1948 technology made great leaps forward. There were many improvements in transport after 1948. The breathalyzer was invented in 1954. A Swede named Nils Bohlin developed the three-point seat belt in 1959. The hovercraft was invented in 1955. Jet passenger aircraft were introduced in 1949. Meanwhile, medicine made… Continue reading Technology and Inventions Since 1948
Women in the 16th Century
By Tim Lambert It is a myth that 16th-century women were meek and submissive. Some were strong-minded and they had more influence than is sometimes imagined. In 1513 Henry VIII went to war in France. He made the queen, Catherine of Aragon, Governor of the Realm, and Captain-General of the home forces in his absence.… Continue reading Women in the 16th Century
Women in the 17th Century
By Tim Lambert Women’s Jobs in the 17th Century In the 17th century, some women had jobs. Some of them worked spinning cloth. Women were milliners, dyers, and embroiderers. There were also washerwomen. Some women worked in food preparation such as brewers, bakers, or confectioners. Women also sold foodstuffs in the streets. A very common… Continue reading Women in the 17th Century
Women in the 18th Century
By Tim Lambert Education for Girls in the 18th Century In the 1700s girls from well-off families went to boarding schools. Poor girls sometimes went to dame schools where they were taught to read and write. Also, in some towns, there were charity schools called blue coat schools because of the colour of the uniforms.… Continue reading Women in the 18th Century
Women in the 19th Century
By Tim Lambert Women’s Jobs in the 19th Century During the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution transformed life in Britain and in other countries in Europe and North America. By the end of the century, life was becoming more and more comfortable for most women. In the 19th century at least 80% of the population… Continue reading Women in the 19th Century