Changes in Medieval Society 05.20.2020

Chapter 14 Section 2: 

Reading Guide: 
1. Farmers began using a new type of harness that fitted across a horse’s chest.
harness enabled the horses to pull a plow which replaced the oxen for plowing and pulling wagons a team of horses could plow 3x as much land in a day as a team of oxen horses cost more money than oxen because horses needed more upkeep

2. Using the three-field system, farmers began to grow crops on two-thirds of their land each year, rather than half.
2 of these fields were used immediately, while 1 lay fallow (resting) for 1 year, With this new 3-field system, farmers could use 2/3 of their land annually instead of the usual 1/2, Food production increased, People had more to eat, People could better resist disease and live longer The European population grew dramatically

3. Merchant and craft guilds organize and change ways to do business.
More and better products are available

4. The Commercial Revolution changes to trade and banking practices.
serfs move to town; workers paid for labor

5. As trade blossomed and farming methods improved, the population of western Europe rose from around 30 million to about 42 million between 1000 and 1150.
Some drawbacks of living in a medieval town- very unsanitary

6. As people left life on the manor for life in towns, they challenged the traditional ways of feudal society in which everyone had a place.
Burghers- prosperous town dwellers, organized themselves and started to demand privileges to separate themselves from the land of the lord. If serfs could live on their own for 1 year and a day they would be free of their legal duties

7. The authors began writing in the vernacular.
most people couldn't read/understand Latin- brought literature to many people
Dante, Chaucer, and de Pisan writes in the vernacular

8. Growing trade and growing cities brought a new interest in learning.
Universities developed early middle ages learning was in churches and monasteries now shifted to universities

9. Christian scholars from Europe visited Muslim libraries in Spain, and Jewish scholars translated Arabic copies of Greek writings into Latin.
Thomas Aquinas fell scholars along with Aquinas were known as Scholastics met at the great universities to talk about these great ideas

Terms and Names: 

three-field system- The three-field system is a regime of crop rotation that was used in medieval and early-modern Europe

guild- a medieval association of craftsmen or merchants, often having considerable power.

Commercial Revolution-  consisted of the creation of a European economy based on trade, which began in the 11th century and lasted until it was succeeded by the Industrial Revolution in the mid-18th century. Beginning with the Crusades, Europeans rediscovered spices, silks, and other commodities rare in Europe

burgher - a citizen of a town or city, typically a member of the wealthy bourgeoisie.

vernacular - the language or dialect is spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.

Thomas Aquinas - Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, Catholic priest, and Doctor of the Church.

 Scholastica - Scholastica is a saint of the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, and the Anglican Communion.

Using your Notes- 

2. How did medieval society change between 1000 and 1500? Describe the major changes that occurred during the 500 year period. *Minimum one-paragraph response.

     Agriculture, trade, and finance made significant advances. Towns and cities grew. Cultural interaction with the Muslim and Byzantine worlds increased the growth of learning and the birth of universities. These things made a large impact on making trad more efficient and faster. The Finances helped to fund trade and help grow the economy. These things led to the outcome of growing economies and city structures. 

Main Ideas- 

3. How did guilds influence business practices in medieval towns?

They controlled the number of goods being traded and to keep prices up. they provided security in trading and reduced losses. Guilds set standards for the utility of work, wages, and working conditions.

4. How were Muslim scholars linked to the revival of learning in Europe?
Christian scholars from Europe began visiting Muslim libraries in Spain. Books began to be translated into Latin for people in Europe to read.

5. In what ways did burghers expand their freedom from landlords?

They organized themselves and demanded privileges. These include freedom from certain kinds of tolls and the right to govern the town. They sometimes took theses rights by force