Bell Ringer 9/2/15 What are some ways that life has changed since the Middle Ages? What are some things that have stayed the same? Be sure to make note of culture, religion, social statuses, and power structure.

Schedule Bell Ringer Finish Crusades Notes Objectives: Students will be able to note five major changes in the Middle Ages Students will be able to compare and contrast current societal norms to the societal norms of the Middle Ages. Bell Ringer Finish Crusades Notes Changes in Medieval Society Notes

Changes in Medieval Society Main Idea: Feudal system declined as agriculture, trade, finance, towns, and universities developed

Agriculture Warmer climate from 800-1200 – improved farm production, more food Used horses instead of oxen to plow land – 3x as much in one day Three field system – plant two fields, one lay fallow for a year More food = resist disease and live longer = population growth

Towns Streets narrow and filled with animals and waste People never bathed Houses lacked fresh air, light, clean water built of wood with thatched roofs which made fire a constant hazard Little crime – harsh punishments

Towns (cont.) No longer content with old feudal existence on manors or in tiny villages. Serfs ran away and could become free by living within a town for a year and one day Towns under authority of feudal lords so merchants had to pay taxes, rents, etc. People often times rebelled Offered many opportunities for work

Guilds An organization of individuals in the same business/job working to improve the conditions of its members Initially formed to control trade Merchant guilds –keep prices up, to provide security in trading Craft guilds – Set standards for quality of work, wages, and working conditions

Guilds (cont.) Apprentice – began training around age 10, lived with master, trained 2-7 years, served as a “domestic servant” – if work satisfied guild, became journeyman Journeyman – worked 6 days a week for other masters for salary, journeyed to places, produced a masterpiece (finest work) that was submitted to guild – if accepted, became master Master – paid fee, took oath of obedience, could own a shop

Guilds (cont.) Fines for working at night (cheap materials could be substituted w/o notice) Punishments: tools or shop destroyed if caught selling substandard goods, publicly humiliated for poor workmanship regulations for personal conduct – no brawling, adultery