Changes in Medieval Society

Mr. Morris World History Changes in Medieval Society

Key Terms, Ch. 14.2 pg 387 • Three-field system • Guild • Commercial revolution • Burgher • Vernacular • Thomas Aquinas • Scholastics

A Growing Food Supply • With the expansion of civilizations in Europe during the Middle Ages, increasing amounts of food were necessary • This was accomplished through a warmer climate which lasted from around 800-1200 • Farmers were also able to farm lands that used to be too cold for crop production

Switch to Horsepower • Farmers originally used oxen to pull their plows • Cheaper to maintain than horses, but horses could plow three times as much per day • In order to use horses, farmers had to find a way to attach a plow to them • Around 900, a harness that fit across the horse’s chest was developed that made it possible for them to pull plows

The Three-Field System • Around 800, some villages started using three fields instead of two • Two were planted, one would remain empty • Allowed two thirds of lands to be used instead of half • More land used = more food • More food = more to eat • Well-fed people = longer lives • Longer lives = increasing population

The Guilds • In guilds, people who had the same job would work to improve conditions for themselves • Merchants controlled goods to keep prices high • Craft guilds – workers set standards for quality of work, wages, and working conditions • Also created plans for training new workers • Guilds became powerful players in government and economy • New and better products available to people everywhere

Surnames • Many last names that we have today come from the medieval period in Europe • They were used to describe the kind of work a person did • Smith – silversmith • Schumacher – shoemaker • Carpenter, Zimmerman – carpenter • Becker – baker

Commercial Revolution • More goods to trade and new ways to do business changed life in Europe • Expansion of trade and business is known as the Commercial Revolution

Fairs and Trade • On fair days, peasants would travel to towns, usually during religious holidays, with items to trade • Cloth was most common • Bacon, salt, honey, cheese, wine, and others also • Markets gave people their needs, manors that were self-sufficient weren’t necessary any more • More trade routes were opened up • People would buy things to try and turn a profit

Business and Banking • Moving from fair to fair, they had to make a way to exchange money and carry less cash • Different types of currency for different places • Fixed problems through exchange rates and credit • For merchants to afford items they had to borrow money which gave rise to banking

Society Changes • Many changes brought about by the commercial revolution • More workers needed in cities • Serfs became paid laborers and moved off manors • More money available • More businesses • Merchants get more money • King gets stronger through the taxes on that money

Urban Life Flourishes • Towns grew during this period, but none were extremely large • European towns were small and unsophisticated • Paris was the largest city • No more than 60,000 people in 1200 • Most towns had 1,500 to 2,500 people

Trade and Towns Grow Together • Trade became crucial for new towns • Built on rivers, ports, crossroads, and hilltops • Trade expanded and towns got bigger • Town life was not always nice • Narrow streets with animals and their waste • Human waste dumped out the window • No bathing and lack of fresh air, water, and light • Houses were a fire hazard • Many serfs ran away to cities and became free

Merchant Class Shifts the Social Order • To begin with, towns were under the authority of feudal lords • They would levy taxes, fees, and rents • With the expansion of trade, burghers organized and demanded more privileges • Freedom from certain tolls and the right to govern towns • If they weren’t given rights, they would fight to earn them

The Revival of Learning • In the Crusades, Europeans came in contact with Muslims and Byzantines • Brought new interest in learning • Muslim and Byzantine libraries had literary works that had disappeared from Europe after the fall of Rome

The Muslim Connection • 1100s – Christian scholars began visiting Muslim libraries in Spain • Scholars translated Arabic versions of Greek writers into Latin • This allowed Europeans access to large amounts of knowledge • Science, philosophy, law, math, and more • Crusaders brought back Muslim technology in ships weapons and navigation

Scholars and the University • The university arose in Europe • Made up of people, not buildings • Most students were children of the wealthy • Goal of students was government or Church jobs • Bachelor’s degree took 5-7 years • Masters took at least 12 years • People began writing in their everyday languages • Books not written in Latin meant that regular people could read them

Aquinas and Medieval Philosophy • Christians wondered if someone could be a philosopher and still be faithful to the Bible • Thomas Aquinas argued that religious truths could be proven by logic • Wrote the Summa Theologicae • Combined ancient Greek and Christian ideas • Aquinas and other scholars who met at universities came to be known as scholastics • Debated many issues including law and government

Changes in Medieval Society