2. Daily Life in the Middle Ages (1000-1600) I.Rural Areas A.Nobility B.Peasants/Serfs II.Towns/Cities A.Size B.Industry III.Population Drops A.Why? 1.Food 2.Pestilence Key Terms Feudalism Vassal/Knight Fief Guild System Black Death

3. Traits of Feudalism (Social/Economic System of Middle Ages) There was an absence of central authority & “Warlords” dominated. People sought protection & unique relationship developed between landowners & commoners. Common in much of Europe—but NOT everywhere (Pyrenees: French/Spanish border).

4. Symbols of Authority Arch of Titus = Symbol of Roman Authority Fall of Rome = Lack of Authority

5. Medieval Hierarchy Monk (clergy) –Prayer Knight (noble) –Protection Peasant –Produce food & supplies

6. Nobles (up to 5%) Clergy (5-10%) Peasants (85-90%)

7. Nobility (They did NOT work the land) Two “Types:” Lords-usually wealthy landowners Knights-the Warriors pledged to provide military service to a lord. Fief-Land (and serfs to work it) given to knights in return for military service. Most were illiterate.

8. Food For Nobles Dominated by bread/porridge & meat (chickens, pigs & wild game; sometimes beef), possibly dairy. Expensive imports: Middle Eastern exotic spices (sugar), wine from France.

9. Entertainment Dancers perform after a feast

10. Entertainment: Hunting

11. Entertainment (Bear-Baiting)

12. Entertainment (Tournaments)

13. Peasants/Serfs Made up 85-90% of the population. They were tied to the land worked the land for the Lords & knights (50-500 on an estate). In return they received: –Protection –A portion of the crops they raised (75-90%) Contracts…

14. Food & Life For Peasants/Serfs Diet was VERY monotonous: black bread/porridge & beer were the staples; eggs & dairy. Famine = threat Homes: one room, wooden sides, thatched roofs & one (large) bed. Daily routine was dominated by seasons.

15. Entertainment (A Harvest Festival Sponsored by Lord of Manor)

16. “Children’s Games” by Breughel (Shows Children Playing Many Games)

17. Entertainment Taverns Cockfighting

18. Entertainment (Marriage Ceremony) Up to 1300s couples often waited for a pregnancy to hold a church service Between 12 th & 14 th centuries “modern” church services were developed Marriages were commonly arranged by parents

19. Guild System (Origins of modern industry) Guilds : A training/education system to ensure quality in the products produced. –Master: Shop-owner (if they had enough money & connections). –Journeymen: wage plus room & board. –Apprentice: worked for room & board with hope of advancement (seven years). –Unskilled Laborer: received room & board with little or no hope of advancement

20. Master Journeymen Apprentice Unskilled Laborers

21. Guild Workers Dyeing Cloth Cloth-making was a leading industry

22. Population Drops Estimate: between 1300-1450 Europe lost 50-65% of its population. Why? 1.Famine: between 1000-1300 population doubled, but food production didn’t. 2.Disease (Pestilence): Beginning about 1350 the “Black Death” spread & killed many.

23. Daily Life in the Middle Ages (1000-1600) I.Rural Areas A.Nobility B.Peasants/Serfs II.Towns/Cities A.Size B.Industry III.Population Drops A.Why? 1.Food 2.Pestilence Key Terms Feudalism Vassal/Knight Fief Guild System Black Death