Chapter 1 Times of Change Worldview Inquiry In what ways can changing social structures affect a society’s worldview

Feudalism Medieval European society (5th cent. – 14th cent.) organized by a feudal system. It was a hierarchy where people were ranked according to their importance. This looked like The Crown Barons Abbots and Bishops Knights Commoners (freeholders and Serfs)

Town Life Medieval towns were centres for farm communities. Towns arose around a castle or large monastery Crowded, dirty, rat infested; offered greater opportunity than country life. Peasants were free (work, marriage, make money) Serfs could be free after living in the town for one year undetected. Unskilled peasants could learn a trade. “Guilds” controlled the production of goods and trades in the town Children apprenticed to a trade; after many years of training could become a journeymen and be admitted to a guild.

Role of Women Rural and town women shared the work of their husbands and raised their children. Daughters of wealthy merchants could be educated. Noble women had fewer opportunity for making their own choices. Their lives were determined by their wealth.

Challenges to the Feudal System The Peasants Revolt 1337 “The Hundred Years’ War” revolted due to high taxes and rents paid to support the war. The Black Death Millions died from the plague (1347 – 1350). labour shortages on manors; many feudal estates went bankrupt. Serfs rented land from nobles and released from obligations to lords. Peasants (former serfs) could remain in communities; many chose to head for the towns.

Time and Money Time measure by the rising and setting of the sun, sun dials, water clocks and hourglasses By the early 1300s mechanical clocks were being built to tell time.

Wealth in society Movement to towns caused society to be less rigid. Urban people were able to acquire greater wealth and move up from one social level to another. New middle class was based on money rather than ownership of land. Interest in buying goods available in towns Wealth was demonstrated through possessions Desire for luxury goods led to the expansion of trade outside Europe. Sumptuary laws created, to control how people spent money and restrict what different classes could wear.

The Church Community Every group in the Church had a duty to follow the orders of the ones above them. Eg: Parishioners (members of the community) had an obligation to follow the rules of the Church, respect the priest’s authority, pay him a tithe (a portion of their crops or earnings).

Cathedral Building Bishops and citizens took part in building of the cathedral Why? Pride and competition (who would have the tallest and most beautiful building) Skilled workers involved Masons, sculptors, carpenters, blacksmiths, stained glass workers. Heavy work was done by the serfs and peasants

Monastic Life Some people would join a religious order and devote their entire lives to God Why? Because they were deeply religious The were able to study religious texts, pray and work. Grew and prepared food for the order, taught children, cared for the sick and the poor, and fed the hungry.

The Church and Education Monks and nuns were well educated Monastaries became learning centers Religious scholars copied texts and manuscripts Universities began to pop up around the religious schools Grammer, geometry, astronomy, and music taught Women were not permitted to attend

Muslims and Jews There were more than just Christians in Europe. There were those who believed in Islam and Judiasm. Muslims from North Africa conquered most of Spain and Portugal in the 700s. Jews lived in areas with Muslims and Christians. Jews were not allowed to be in certain professions so they became jewellers, money traders and merchants and physicians. Some were forced to live in Ghettos – certain parts of the city away from others.

Attitudes Change Towards Religion The Black Death had an impact on the religious beliefs of man Some people felt that God had abandoned them since people were still dying even though they prayed. The Church was also wealthy so some people saw them as less interested in the poor and in spiritual values and more interested in living the luxurious life.