Peasants, Trade, Cities & Medieval Christianity 3.02: Describe events in Western Europe from the fall of Rome to the emergence of nation-states and analyze the impact of these events on economic, political, and social life in medieval Europe.

Advances in Agriculture The European population doubled in size between 1000 and 1300. The large population increase in Europe was due in part to a more peaceful environment and changes in technology Food production was increased by using scythes, axes, and hoes.

Advances in Agriculture A new plow called the carruca led to the growth of farming villages. People had to work together to buy the iron needed to make the plow and share the team of animals needed to pull the plow. Europeans also started using three-field rotations, harnessing wind and water, and using animal power to save labor and produce more crops.

The Manorial System The manor was an agricultural estate run by a lord and worked by serfs. Serfs provided labor services, paid rents, and were subject to the control of the lord. The life of European peasants was very simple. They lived in wood framed cottages, generally consisting of one or two rooms.

The Manorial System The seasons of the year dictated peasant activities. Religious holidays provided peasants with time away from work and brought them into contact with the Church. Peasant women had to work in the field, raise children, and manage the household.

The Manorial System Grains were used for making bread, the daily food of peasants, and ale. Vegetables, cheeses, and sometimes meat supplemented the meals of peasants. Water was not easy to obtain, so wine was the drink of the upper classes and ale was the drink of the poor.

Reviving Trade Cities in strategic locations, such as Venice and Flanders, grew in size and wealth. Trade fairs were initiated by cities to encourage more trade.

Reviving Trade As trade increased, demand for gold and silver coins increased. Eventually, a money economy replaced the barter system New trading companies and banking firms led to the economic system of commercial capitalism

The Growth of Cities The revival of trade led to a revival of cities. Merchants and artisans moved into these newly revitalized cities and became known as bourgeoisie The people in the cities and towns slowly gained their independence from local lords. The cities created their own governments, and patricians were elected legally or illegally.

The Growth of Cities Medieval towns were surrounded by stone walls and were cramped and dirty. Pollution and the threat of fire plagued the city inhabitants. People began to organize themselves into business associations. These guilds played a leading role in the economic life of cities.

The Growth of Cities A person who wanted to learn a trade went through a series of steps. People started as unpaid apprentices, earned wages as a journeyman, and could become a master by producing a masterpiece.

The Inquisition To deal with heretics, the Church created the Inquisition. This court had regular proceedings to find and try heretics

Religion in the High Middle Ages The Church in the High Middle Ages played a vital role in the lives of Europeans. Some people, because of their holiness, were called saints and were revered by the people. Relics were usually the bones of saints or objects connected to saints. Worshipping relics and pilgrimages to holy sites were important to European Christians.

Vocabulary 1 Serf: in medieval Europe, a peasant legally bound to the land who had to provide labor services, pay rents, and be subject to the lord’s control

Vocabulary 2 commercial capitalism: economic system in which people invest in trade or goods to make profits

Vocabulary 3 Bourgeoisie: the middle class, including merchants, industrialists, and professional people

Vocabulary 4 Guild: a business association that is associated with a particular trade or craft; guilds evolved in the twelfth century and played a leading role in the economic life of medieval cities