Life in Medieval Towns EQ: What was life like in medieval towns?

Visual Vocabulary 1. Charter 2. Guild A written grant of rights and privileges by a ruler or government to a community, class of people, or organization An organization of people in the same craft or trade.

Visual Vocabulary Cont 3. Apprentice 4. Journeyman A person who works for a master in a trade or craft in return for training. A craftsperson who found work “by the day”, instead of becoming a master who employed other workers.

Visual Vocabulary Cont 5. Commerce 6. Leprosy The buying and selling of goods A skin and nerve disease that causes open sores on the body and can lead to serious complications and death.

Visual Vocabulary Cont 7. Bubonic Plague 8. Common law A deadly contagious disease caused by bacteria and spread by fleas. A body of rulings made by judges that become part of a nation’s legal system.

Visual Vocabulary Cont 9. Minstrel A singer or a musician who sang and recited poems to music played on a harp or other instrument

The Growth of Medieval Towns Towns were often located next to rivers or along seacoasts, which made trade easier. Improved farming methods and trade contributed to the growth of towns.

The Growth of Medieval Towns (cont.) Towns were part of the domain of a feudal lord. Some places, violence broke out as towns struggled for independence. Other places, a royal charter was purchased which allowed the members of a medieval town to govern themselves.

Guilds Guilds were associations of people who practiced the same craft. They were set up to make sure their members were treated fairly, established work hours, and produced quality goods.                                         

Guilds (continued) At age 12 a person would become an apprentice. After 7 years he could become a journeyman. Some craft guilds were cobblers, masons, and cloth makers. Items produced by guilds included household items, shoes, belts, leather goods, glass, stone for building, steel for tools and weapons, and fabrics (wool, silk) Guilds provided members with money and food in times of need.

Trade and Commerce Goods were distributed through trade routes, markets, and merchant fairs. Merchant fairs were large and sold goods from all over Europe and the East. They attracted merchants from many countries.

Trade and Commerce (cont.) Merchants became wealthy and powerful by selling a variety of goods from faraway lands, dominating the town’s business life and joining town councils.

How is this different than what we learned about the feudal system? Life in Medieval Towns

Treatment of Jews Because of hostility, Jews were not allowed to own land and found it hard to earn a living by farming. Rulers could take their property/belongings at will. Jews became bankers and moneylenders since Christians were forbidden to join those occupations. (it was viewed as sinful to charge interest)

Homes and Households Homes in medieval towns were small, crowded and built of wood; often several families in one house. The homes of the wealthy were much larger with multiple levels for business, home, and servants. Rooms were cold, smoky, and dim because fireplaces were the only source of heat and light.

Homes and Households (cont.) About half of all children died before becoming adults. Children began preparing for their adult roles at 7. Most girls were married by 15. Girls were taught cooking, cloth making, and other skills for running a home. Boys typically followed in their father’s footsteps.

Disease and Medical Treatment Unhealthy living conditions and the lack of understanding of how diseases spread caused many deaths. People disposed of their garbage and waste into nearby streams, canals, or on the streets. In some areas designated locations were made to use for restroom. Some common diseases in medieval Europe were leprosy, measles, cholera, scarlet fever and bubonic plague.

Disease and Medical Treatment (cont.) Most people were treated at home by family members. Medieval doctors used prayer, magic, and herbal medicines. Bloodletting was also popular.

Disease and Medical Treatment (cont.) Because people were unsure how diseases were spread. Jews were sometimes accused of murdering children and poisoning wells.

Crime and Punishment Towns were poorly lit, and streets were filled with pickpockets and thieves. The methods of justice were trial by ordeal trial by combat Both punishments depended on God to determine the outcome.

Crime and Punishment (cont.) Fines and the stocks were used to punish those found guilty of minor crimes. Those convicted of more serious crimes were hanged or burned at the stake. Beginning in the 12th century, court inquiries were used to determine a person’s guilt or innocence. Prior court decisions made up common law.

Leisure and Entertainment Children played with dolls and toys, such as wooden swords and hobbyhorses. They also rolled hoops and played badminton, lawn bowling, and blind man’s bluff. Adults liked chess, checkers, and backgammon. Card games, dice games, and dancing were also popular.

Leisure and Entertainment (cont.) Mystery plays re-created stories from the Bible. Miracle plays dramatized the lives of saints. The church disapproved of mystery and miracle plays, but most townspeople enjoyed them.