In today's society it is hard to imagine ourselves as being slaves, unable to move up in society in any way. There are still social classes and the people in the modern version of aristocracies are treated lavishly. But no one is so low with no chance of moving their way up on the social hierarchy. Anyone can obtain wealth and fortune. Centuries ago, back in Medieval times, there were social classes and there was no way out. If one was born a serf, or commoner, they died a serf. They had to work under the rules of the aristocrats, today's movie stars and professional athletes. The views of power and equality from Medieval times differ greatly from the views we have today. Injustices were a part of everyday life and the people on the wrong end of it led miserable lives. There is a law concerning the murder of slaves that, at first glance, seems perfectly normal and regular. But when it is examined more closely it is found to not be fair at all. "If any one shall kill his own slave without the knowledge of the judges---a slave who has committed such thing as may be worthy of death---he shall emend the guilt of blood by excommunication or by a penance for two years." (http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/876Worms.html). This law almost promotes the killing of a slave if the owner deems it necessary. By today's standards if a person kills another human being, for the most part, they either receive a life sentence in prison or the death penalty. But back then, since the two people were not equals and the one had much more power than the other, the crime was dealt with lightly. Another example which exemplifies the differences between Medieval culture and modern culture in regards to power and equality is a letter which St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote to Peter the Venerable. "But what will you [i.e., Peter the Venerable] have to say about secular possessions which are held by you after the manner of secular persons, since in this respect you seem to differ from them in no way?" (http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/1120Petebern.html). This letter shows just how badly people ,if they weren't of a high social class, were treated back in Medieval times. People who owned and traded slaves thought of the slaves and serfs as property, not as human life. They would trade them away and think nothing of it for they were not blessed by God and did not deserve to live lives full of riches and happiness. The views upon power and equality have changed greatly from the original Medieval concept to the present time. Different points in history have different points of view on a variety of topics, including power and equality.
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