Download - Changes in Medieval Society
SECTION 14.2
Changes in Medieval Society
A Growing Food Supply
Changes in AgricultureWhat was one of the
changes from 800 to 1200? The climate warms. What
was the result? More land became open to
farming
What was the result of the changes in technology? More food production http://www.gribbitonline.com/images/Historic%20Climate%20Change%20Trends.JPG
Using Horsepower
Horses replaced oxen Their harnesses were
changed from around the neck to around the body
Originally almost choked the horse
Why did the harnessed horse increase food supply? Horses plow three times as
much a day as oxen Oxen were cheaper to have,
but a lot slower
Three Field System
What is The Three-Field System? Plant two fields, let one rest Could grow crops on 2/3 of field, not just 1/2
Results of Three Field System
This produces more food and leads to population increase
Better sources of protein Vegetable and bean protein Healthier people Resist more disease
Larger families Live longer
Trade and Finances Expand
The Guilds
What were the Guilds? Organization of people in the same occupation Similar to a union of today
http://www.traditioninaction.org/OrganicSociety/Images_1-100/A_023_Blacksmith.jpg http://www.flickr.com/photos/scalleja/387203550/
The Guilds
What they did: controlled prices and wages in their craft.
Merchant guilds begin first; What do they do? Keep prices up Provide security
Skilled artisans, men and women, form craft guilds
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24675232@N03/2422994335/
The Guilds
Guilds set standards for: Quality Prices Wages Working conditions Ex. Bread
Guilds supervise training of new members of their craft
What did the wealth of guilds influences? Government and economy
Fairs and TradeMost trade happened in
townsPeasants in manors would
travel to towns on fair days to trade Cloth was most common trade
item Other items: bacon, honey,
cheese, wine, leather No longer were manors self-
sufficient
Trade fairs are held several times a year in towns
Commercial Revolution
Where were the trade routes open to? Asia, North Africa, and Byzantine ports
Business and Banking
What did Merchants do to avoid carrying large sums of money? Develop credit
Merchants take out loans to purchase goods, and banking grows
Could only take out money from Jews because according to Christianity, lending money with interest was a sin called “usury”
Not considered a sin in today’s church
Society Changes
What was the result of these Economic changes? The growth of cities and of paying jobs
www.cartoonstock.com/directory/C/CITIES.asp
www.cartoonstock.com/directory/s/sieges.asp
Growing Urban Population
Growing Urban Population
From 1000–1150, Europe’s population rises from 30 million to 42 million
Most towns are small, but they help drive change Paris- 60,000 Town- 1,500-2,500 Not very big
Trade and Towns grow together
Many people leaving manors to live in towns/cities
Why were towns uncomfortable? Crowded Dirty- no baths, sewage,
clean water Full of fire hazards- houses
made of wood
Many serfs ran away from their manors
Towns and Social Order
Serf could be free after living in a town one year plus one day
How did people feel about of Feudal lords taxing and governing towns? Resentment
What was the result? Towns are taken over by burghers—town merchants
Methods of Punishment
Keeping Order in the Middle Ages
Keeping order for the more harden criminal
The Head Crusher
the top screw of this awful device was slowly turned, compressing the skull tightly.
First the teeth are destroyed, shattering and splintering into the jaw.
Then the eyes are squeezed from the sockets
Lastly, the skull fractures and the contents of the head are forced out.
Cat’s Paw
The Cat’s Paw (or Spanish Tickler) was oftentimes attached to a handle
in size and appearance it was an extension of the torturer’s hand
In this way it was used to rip and tear flesh away from the bone, from any part of the body.
Knee Splitter
Built from two spiked wood blocks, the knee splitter is placed on top of and behind the knee of its victims.
Two large screws connecting the blocks are then turned, causing the two blocks to close towards each other and effectively destroy a victim’s knee.
This device could also be used to inflict damage on other parts of the body such as the arms.
Spanish Donkey
The Spanish Donkey was a device which consisted of a main board cut with a wedge at the top fastened to two cross-beams.
The naked victim was placed astride the main board as if riding a donkey, and various numbers of weights were attached to his or her feet.
The agony could be ‘fine-tuned’ by using lighter or heavier weights.
Sources relate that on occasion, the wedge would slice entirely through the victim as a result of the immense weight attached to his or her feet
Lead Sprinkler
The lead sprinkler was essentially a ladle on the end of a handle.
The top half of the sphere could be removed and the lower half was filled with molten metal, boiling oil, boiling water, pitch or tar.
The perforated top half was then re-attached. Shaking or flicking the sprinkler towards the victim showered him or her with the boiling contents of the ladle.