Changes in Medieval Society Growing Food Supply Growing Food Supply Switch to horsepower – Switch to horsepower – Climate warmed up Climate warmed up The three-field system – plant two rest one The three-field system – plant two rest one The Guilds The Guilds Organization of individuals in the same business Organization of individuals in the same business Merchants came together to keep prices up Merchants came together to keep prices up Wealth helped them gain influence over government and economy Wealth helped them gain influence over government and economy

The Guilds Organization of individuals in the same business Merchants came together to keep prices up Wealth helped them gain influence over government and economy

Commercial Revolution Commercial Revolution Expansion of trade and finance Expansion of trade and finance Town fairs peasants hauled goods to trade Town fairs peasants hauled goods to trade Cloth – bacon, salt, honey, wine Cloth – bacon, salt, honey, wine Life in the city again now! Life in the city again now! Large amounts of credit and cash Large amounts of credit and cash

Urban life flourishes Urban life flourishes Towns swelled with people Towns swelled with people Streets were narrow, filled with animals and waste Streets were narrow, filled with animals and waste Lack of fresh water, air and light Lack of fresh water, air and light Serfs ran away now… Serfs ran away now… Burghers – merchant class town dwellers –wanted freedom from taxes and rent Burghers – merchant class town dwellers –wanted freedom from taxes and rent

The Revival of learning –Crusades opened contacts! The Revival of learning –Crusades opened contacts! Christian and Jewish scholars began reading Muslim texts Christian and Jewish scholars began reading Muslim texts Science, philosophy, law and math Science, philosophy, law and math Technology in ships, navigation and weapons Technology in ships, navigation and weapons Universities Universities

Vernacular writings – language of their home town Vernacular writings – language of their home town Thomas Aquinas – believed religious truths could be proved by reason and argument Thomas Aquinas – believed religious truths could be proved by reason and argument Scholastics – Used knowledge to debate – law and government Scholastics – Used knowledge to debate – law and government

Keeping Order in the Middle Ages

Keeping order for the more harden criminal