POPULAR CULTURE 1 Flashcards
(30 cards)
What was urban culture like during this time ?
The population was growing and people were moving to cities for jobs which caused greater diversity of cultures
Give an example of how urban cities were growing and evolving during this time
London population 1500 = 60,000
London population 1800 = 1M
Italian cities 1500 = 10.5M
Italian cities 1600 = 13.3 M
Give some examples of public displays of urban culture
Processions and Pageants - civic processions by guilds and royalty
Solemn holy days - Like Easter Sunday and San Giovanni processions in Italy
Broadsides and ballads - popular way to share gossip and expose crimes
Give some examples of private displays of urban culture ?
Musical performances - singing of songs by servants with instruments
Books - More accessible due to the press E.G (Germany 1598-1524 publications increased by 7 times)
What was rural culture like during this period of time ?
About 90% of population lived in the countryside
What are some reasons for why rural culture was less sophisticated than urban culture ?
Lower levels of literacy
Less access to books ( printing was slow to reach the countryside
Homes and gatherings were smaller than in towns ( usually met up at pubs )
What is the famous painting that depicts rural culture called ?
” The fight between Carnival and Lent “
What are some examples of festivals people celebrated in rural areas ?
Harvest festivals
All saints - start of winter / honoured saints and the dead
May day - Drinking , feasting and dancing
What was elite culture like during this period of time ?
Elites owned lots of land with big estates and had powerful roles in government
Elite hierarchy - Royalty was 1st then nobles 2nd
What were Masques ?
A form of festive courtly entertainment involving music , dance , acting and costumes
Celebrated by the elites like royalty E.G Henry VIII and Charles II
Why did the elite begin to withdraw from popular culture ?
Both reformations portrayed elements of PC as dangerous for social order which could damage hierarchy
Reformations focused on morality - so nobles withdrew to their homes E.G dining in small rooms instead of halls
Protestants viewed Saint days as superstitious thus religious elite withdrew too
What was the role of the church during this period of time ?
To morally regulate the people by honouring saints and reinforcing hierarchy by endorsing processions
They thought if they didn’t correctly respect the saint that bad things would happen
Give an example of when a town didn’t respect a saint and the consequences
Usanos Spain - A vow to a saint was missed thus a thunderbolt hit the church and damaged the tower
How were pageants and festivals used during this period of time ?
Festivals provided an escape for the people and was a time for excess
Pageantry allowed guilds to play a big role often by financing processions with their members holding banners
Acted as a safety valve to cool down tensions with authorities
Why were authorities concerned that social order would not be restored during festivals ?
People had been previously unable to exert their angers
Some festivals led to riots E.G May Day London 1517 and Carnival celebrations were used to mock and protest the Catholic church
Unrest of pageants led to violence against jews and other groups
What was the celebration of Misrule ?
In the XMAS period - someone was appointed the leader of the day where they could make you do anything they commanded
Encouraged Drinking and rowdiness and led to the mocking of religious people and the drinking in church
What were the reactions to Misrule from the religious elite ?
They were appalled yet were unsuccessful at suppressing it
Give some reasons for why authorities used humiliation and punishment to regulate society ?
Rapid population growth
Vagrancy ( HOBO )
War
Plague
How were women humiliated and punished during this period ?
Those who were domineering , Infidelity or those who posed threats to men were punished
Usually taken to manorial / Ecclesiastical courts to then be publicly humiliated
Give some examples of how they would punish and humiliate women who had committed crimes during this time ?
Thos who were domineering or those who had hen picked their husband would have a mob outside their home hitting pots and pans
England - Skimmington
France - Charivari ( women walk thru town bald )
Any cucks would ride horse backwards with the women on the front of the horse ( Mocking the social order )
What were some legal punishments used during this time ? ( name the punishment to the severity of the crime )
Petty crime = Placed in town centre with people throwing stuff at them
Prostitution = Ducking stool and scolds
Serious crime = Branding as a visible reminder of their deeds
Murder/Treason = Execution publicly
How was moral regulation used to maintain social order during this period of time ?
The council of Trent was part of the counter reformation which placed stricter rules on public behavior
Pope Paul II was keen to limit celebrations as they were used to be unholy and boisterous
Protestants too attacked celebrations and associated them with catholicism and distractions from God
What was the role of the Church during this period of time ?
To safeguard the people from danger E.G exorcisms , blessings etc .
Priests prayed for crops and asked for protection from saints
What was the role of cunning folk and white magic during this period of time ?
Cunning folk were called in matters of illness , crop failure or bewitchment
White magic was good magic used to help recovery and protect villagers from spirits
