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Does medieval society strike you as fair in hindsight?

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Final answer:

Medieval society was structured by feudalism, which provided security and order but was inherently inequitable, with limited social mobility and fairness, especially for serfs and minorities.

Step-by-step explanation:

Medieval society, particularly during the High Middle Ages after AD 1000, saw significant growth and the establishment of systems like manorialism and feudalism. These systems structured society into a hierarchy where peasants, or serfs, owed rent and labor to nobles, and in return, nobles provided military protection and land to use. Feudalism created a network of obligations, but it was also inequitable, as it bound serfs to their land, limiting economic freedom and creating a rigid social structure. Marriage norms and resolutions of economic disputes were vastly different from those in modern times. For instance, marriages were often arranged and served to consolidate power or secure alliances rather than being based on love or personal choice.

Minority groups in medieval societies often did not have the same opportunities for upward mobility and encountered discrimination similar to that seen in more modern history. With the disintegration of feudal systems post-Black Death, some social mobility became possible due to a weakened nobility and a more prosperous merchant class.

In short, while technological and agricultural advancements allowed some degree of progress, medieval society did not offer equitable opportunities or fairness in the way modern societies aim for. The class system was entrenched, and for majority of the people, especially serfs and minority groups, it was an era of limited freedom and inequality.

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