Daily Life in the Middle Ages
4.2 The Growth of Medieval Towns
The Growth of Medieval Towns: Where and Why? Towns were often located next to rivers Made trade easier
The Growth of Medieval Towns: Contributing Factors Improved farming methods Revival of trade with the east
The Growth of Medieval Towns: Charters A charter allowed the members of a medieval town to govern themselves
Section 4.3
Guilds: What and Why? Guilds were associations of people who practiced the same craft or trade Set up to make sure members were treated fairly and produced quality goods
Guilds: A How To Guide Boys became apprentices at 12 Lived and worked in the home of guild master After 7 years, a sample of work was examined If it met standards, he was allowed to join
Stained Glass showing Cloth Makers Guild Guilds: Examples Cobblers (shoe makers) Stone Masons (built cathedrals) Cloth makers Stained Glass showing Cloth Makers Guild ` Carpenter Boot Maker
Guilds: Helping the Helpless Provided them with money and food in times of need Crest of Coopers Guild (barrel makers)
4.4 Trade and Commerce
Trade and Commerce: Role of the Merchant By selling food and goods, merchants attracted people to towns Merchant and Customer Typical Medieval Storefront
Trade and Commerce: Merchant Fairs Large gatherings where goods from all over Europe and the east were sold Attracted merchants from many countries
Trade and Commerce: The Power of the Merchant Class Sold variety of goods from far away lands Dominated towns business life Joined town councils Merchant Vessel
Trade and Commerce: Mistreatment of Jews Had difficulty farming due to hostility and tensions Victims of violence Had property taken The yellow badges Jews were forced to wear in the Middle Ages were reintroduced by the Nazis
4.5 Homes and Households
Homes and Households: What did they look like? Most were small, crowded, and built of wood Homes of the wealthy were larger
Homes and Households: Uncomfortable Rooms were smoky, cold, and dim Fireplace was only source of heat and main source of light Note the animals inside
Homes and Households: A Hard Knock Life Almost 50% of all children died Those who lived began preparing for their adult roles at 7 years old ?
Homes and Households: Girls Then and Now Married and had children young Only the wealthy learned to paint/read music Educated at home Taught only cooking, cloth making, running a home
4.6 Disease and Medical Treatment
Disease and Medical Treatment: Unhealthy and Uneducated Unhealthy living conditions Lack of understanding of how diseases spread Led to many illnesses and deaths Map Showing the Spread of the Plague
Disease and Medical Treatment: Common Diseases Measles Cholera Scarlet Fever Bubonic Plague
Disease and Medical Treatment: Common Practices Prayer Magic Herbal Medicines Bloodletting Leeches Leeches Lancing Herbal Medicines
A Medieval Dentist Pliers Teeth Necklace Illuminated Manuscript
Disease and Medical Treatment: The Blame Game Jews were sometimes blamed for outbreaks of diseases
4.7 Crime and Punishment
Crime and Punishment: Danger Towns were poorly lit Streets filled with pickpockets and thieves
Crime and Punishment: Guilt and Innocence Trial by Ordeal: accused had to pass a dangerous test Trial by Combat: accused had to fight to prove their innocence
Crime and Punishment: Torture Minor crimes = fines and time in stocks Major crimes = hanging or burning at the stake
Crime and Punishment: Improvements 12th century is start of courts being used to determine innocence or guilt
4.8 Leisure and Entertainment
Leisure and Entertainment: Fun and Games for Kids Dolls Toys: wooden swords, hobbyhorses Rolled hoops Badminton Lawn bowling Blind Man’s Bluff
Leisure and Entertainment: Fun for Grown Ups Chess Checkers Backgammon Card and Dice Games Dancing
Leisure and Entertainment: Mystery Plays vs. Miracle Plays Mystery Plays re-created stories from the Bible Miracle plays were about the lives of saints
Leisure and Entertainment: The Church Church disapproved of them Townspeople still enjoyed them
The End! Question: Why were the Middle Ages also known as the Dark Ages? Answer: Because there were too many knights.