Final answer:
The speech, manners, and shortcomings of high-born people of the day referred to the culture and expected behaviors of the Aristocracy. This class emphasized refined behavior and upheld values like loyalty and honor, differentiating from a purely feudal or military hierarchy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speech, manners, and shortcomings of high-born people of the day refer to Aristocracy. Aristocracy refers to the social class of privileged individuals who hold hereditary titles and are considered the highest-ranking members of society. In medieval Europe, the aristocracy included nobles, lords, and kings who had significant political and social influence.
Aristocracy refers to a class of people considered to be of high social status historically linked to nobility and wealth. The aristocratic culture during medieval times focused on manners, speech, courtly behavior, and elaborate feasts. Aristocrats upheld values of loyalty, courage, and honor. Unlike a purely feudal system which emphasized military service and land grants as a base for social hierarchy, the aristocracy included a broader cultural aspect, embracing the arts and intellectual pursuits. High-born individuals were expected to exhibit refined behavior in line with their elite standing; failure to do so was seen as a shortcoming.