Life in Medieval Towns Quiz Study Guide QUIZ: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10th Flashcards
Charter
a written grant of rights and privileges by a ruler or government to community, class of people, or organization
Surplus
an extra amount of something
- Improvements in agriculture led farmer to grow a surplus of crops that they could see in town markets
Magna Carta
a written legal agreement signed in 1215 that limited the power of the English king (monarch)
- “Great Charter” in Latin
Model Parliament
a governing body (group of people) created by King Edward I of England
- This group included common people (lower class), people from the Church (clergy), and nobles
The Growth of Medieval Towns
At the start of the middle ages, most people lived in the countryside:
- Feudal manors
- Religious communities
- *Later, towns grow around castles, monasteries, and trade routes
- All medieval town were surrounded by thick stone walls for protection
- Most towns grew near rivers so they had access to trade routes
Reasons for Growth of Medieval Towns
- Improvements in Agriculture
a. Farmers cleared forests and used better farming methods–created a surplus of crops - Trade
a. Seaport towns like Venice and Genoa were treading centers
~Example: glass products were made in Venice
b. Towns and cities began to specialize in making certain products
~Shops were located below homes and businesses displayed pictures hanging over doorways to show what was being sold (remember: most people could not read!)
~Wealth through trade led to the growth of the banking industry - Independence
a. Towns became wealthy on their own and lower class (peasants and merchants) people began rising to power
~They did not need the lord to protect them
b. Towns purchased a royal charter, or list of rights that governed their specific community
~Leaders of the town were a mayor and town council
Lesson 5 Section 1: Political Developments in England
Changes in government were created by three KINGS
King Henry II:
-People had to go on trial by jury before determining if they were guilty of a crime (can’t go to jail for no reason!)
-Members fo the Clergy (church officials) could also go on trial for crimes
~This created conflict/issues with the Church
King John:
-King John was disliked by his people: he heavily taxed his lords and arrested people who went against him
-1215: His nobles met with him to pass a document called the Magna Carta
~Stated that the King must allow his nobles and the Church to have traditional rights
~Limited the power of the King
King Edward I:
- Worked to include more people in government
- Created the Model Parliament: allowed common people and clergy to take part in government
**These three kings caused the DECLINE OF FEUDALISM because:
- It shifted some power to the COMMON PEOPLE
- The King must rule with advice from the PEOPLE
Lesson 5 Section 2: The Bubonic Plague
A deadly and contagious disease caused by bacteria and spread by fleas
- Also called the Black Death
- Began in Asia and spread to Europe along trade routes and the Silk Road
- Symptoms included: fevers, nausea, coughing, and swollen black and blue bumps called buboes
*Dirty conditions led to the spread of the plague
Trash and waste on the streets, rats and insects spread bacteria, people did not practice good hygiene, etc.
Impact of the Plague:
- 24 million Europeans died of the plague (1/3 of the population!)
- Caused the DECLINE OF FEUDALISM because trade slowed down, and the economy needed to be rebuilt
- Shift in power from nobles to COMMON PEOPLE because workers were needed after so many had died
Lesson 5 Section 3: The Hundred Years’ War
England and France fought a series of wars between 1337 and 1453: Hundred Years’ War
-England and France both claimed land in France as their own and now were fighting over this land
