DO NOW: Fill out the first row of your Middle Ages Daily Life Scales Medieval Towns and Guilds Questions HOMEWORK

The Growth of Medieval Towns

 While towns and cities had been popular in Greece and Rome, they were not as common during the Early Middle Ages  The High Middle Ages saw a resurgence in them due to the Crusades

The Growth of Medieval Towns  A major reason was a major improvement in agriculture because new farming methods led to a surplus of food  Another reason was the revival of trading by using waterways and cities to move goods quickly to many people

The Growth of Medieval Towns  Many of the merchants became permanent residents in the towns they sold their goods in  Towns could either have a range of goods or be known to specialize in a select few

The Growth of Medieval Towns  In the Early Middle Ages, lords would control their domain and everyone who lived and worked on it  Now, towns would purchase charters where the people could govern themselves, make laws, and raise taxes  These towns would usually be governed by a mayor and a council

Guilds

 Trade and goods were overseen by guilds – an organization of people in the same craft or trade  The two main types of guilds were merchant guilds and craft guilds with each having their own symbol

Guilds  Guilds provided help and protection for people and held very high standards  Guild members paid their dues to their guild to provide for members with sick families, construct guild halls, and have parties

Guilds  Boys and sometimes even girls could become an apprentice at age 12.  Parents would sign an agreement with a master where they would train, house, and feed the apprentice

Guilds  After seven years of work, apprentices had to prove that they mastered their trade by creating a “master piece”  If they were approved, they would be given their own business and if not, they would become a journeyman, finding work where they could instead