Submission for Class Blog by: Jordan Clarke and Olivia DiFonso

The Medieval concept of power and equality differ greatly from our contemporary concept.  They believed in a caste system. In a caste system no one is equal.  A caste system resembles a triangle with the king at the top of the triangle. The king held all the power. It was great to be king. The peasants and serfs were at the base of the triangle showing that most of the population was made up of peasants and serfs. Therefore, they were the lowest rank in the social system. Serfs and peasants had to work on their lord's land that they were granted.  In Medieval times, your class was in your genes; if you were born a peasant, you died a peasant.  The aristocrats owned all the land, because they could afford it and were born into that type of lifestyle.  When serfs were forced to work under the aristocrats, they became property of the higher class.  Serfs were treated poorly and sometimes tried to escape the slave life; however, Lords went to great lengths to capture runaway serfs.  The rule of the Lords over the peasants was harsh; "If the slave tried to cry out, or to move from one place to another, a naked sword threatened him; and he found great enjoyment in the man's tears" (Migne). 

 

In contemporary times, there are many people groups and law forces that condemn the abuse of slaves, or any person for that matter.  It is the civil law stated by the Thirteenth Amendment that, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude...shall exist within the United States" (LOC).  This Amendment written in the Constitution abolishes acts of slavery or forced labor in the United States.  Martin Luther King Jr. gave us another example in his "I Have A Dream" speech, of how the concept of equality is important. He stated, "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal" (http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html).    From the time of the Middle Ages to now, the law of slavery has been modified greatly to support the freedom of people.


"13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Abolition of Slavery." National Archives and Records Administration. Web. 14 Apr. 2010. <http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/document.html?doc=9&title.raw=13th%20Amendment%20to%20the%20U.S.%20Constitution:%20Abolition%20of%20Slavery>.

"13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Primary Documents of American History (Virtual Programs & Services, Library of Congress)." Library of Congress Home. Web. 14 Apr. 2010. <http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/13thamendment.html>.

Migne, J. P. "Medieval Sourcebook: Gregory of Tours: Harsh Treatment of Serfs and Slaves, C."FORDHAM.EDU. Paul Halsall, Oct. 1998. Web. 14 Apr. 2010. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/575Rauching.html>.

"The I Have a Dream Speech - The U.S. Constitution Online - USConstitution.net." Index Page - The U.S. Constitution Online - USConstitution.net. Web. 14 Apr. 2010. <http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html>.