Understanding the Mortality Rates and Aristocratic Life in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, life was fraught with peril, and mortality rates were alarmingly high, particularly among infants, as indicated by the assertion that death often occurred prematurely. Yet, the question remains: why was life so cheap to the aristocracy, given their influence and resources?

Premature Death and Infant Mortality

The concept of 'premature death' in this context is closely tied to factors such as infant mortality, which, in the absence of modern medical science, were indeed staggering. Infant mortality hardly impacted the large resource base that the nobility controlled. Additionally, the nobility were seldom taxed, further isolating them from the financial and social consequences that affected the populace at large.

Common Causes of Death

The leading causes of death in the Middle Ages were injury, illness, and childbirth, all of which could claim victims regardless of their social status. Injuries such as broken bones or deep cuts from rotten timbers or rusty nails led to fatal infections. Dental issues and abscesses could also be fatal, while illnesses that we now consider minor, such as influenza, were just as deadly.

Tuberculosis was another significant killer, affecting individuals of all ranks. Perhaps one of the most tragic examples is King Edward VI, the son of Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's third wife. Childbirth, both for the newborn and the mother, was incredibly perilous, as evidenced by the death of Jane Seymour.

A Statistical Analysis of Mortality

In this period, the statistical reality was that women tended to die at a younger age than men, not because of a lack of respect for their lives, but because death from childbirth was a significant factor. Wars and other dangers faced by men, while daunting, were not the primary cause of death among women.

The belief in God's will, combined with the lack of effective medicines and treatments, further exacerbated the situation. Life was precarious, rather than cheap, and this acceptance of mortality was part of the social norm of the time.

Economic Impact and Social Dynamics

The aristocracy, despite their high rates of death, did not experience the same loss as the general population, given their control over vast amounts of food and resources. Peasants, on the other hand, faced devastating famine and high mortality rates, especially after the Black Death in the 14th century. This decimation of the population meant that survivors eventually adapted, leading to improvements in farming, market wages, and the gradual decline of serfdom.

Conclusion: The Modern Context

A more pertinent question to ask might be: why, given the inevitability of death for all, are we today so afraid of it? The contrast between the acceptance of mortality in the Middle Ages and our current fear of death raises important questions about modern perspectives on death and necrophobia.

Understanding the life and death dynamics of the Middle Ages not only provides historical insight but also offers a fascinating perspective on how societal norms and economic conditions shaped attitudes towards death and life.