Social condition of England by 1189 Flashcards
(35 cards)
What was the estimated population of England in 1086 vs. 1189?
Around 1.5–2 million in 1086; by 1189, it had roughly doubled to 3–4 million.
What factors contributed to population growth in 12th-century England?
- Warm climate
- Absence of major plagues
- Political stability under Henry II
- Agricultural expansion
How did expanding population affect settlement patterns?
New villages and hamlets formed, forests were cleared, and marshes drained to increase farmland.
What proportion of the English population lived rurally in 1189?
Over 90% lived as peasants in the countryside.
What was the typical status of most peasants in 1189?
Villeins – unfree tenants who owed labor to their lords.
What change signaled a shift toward a cash economy?
Some lords began commuting labor services into money payments.
What was the impact of good harvests in the late 12th century?
Supported modest improvements in rural living conditions and survival of peasant families.
What natural disaster reminded peasants of their vulnerability?
The famine of 1185.
How large was London by 1189?
Estimated at over 40,000 inhabitants.
What were other major English towns in 1189?
- York
- Winchester
- Lincoln
- Norwich
- Bristol
What role did royal charters play in town life?
Granted rights to trade, hold markets, and self-govern.
What English product was in high demand abroad by the 1180s?
Wool.
What major imports flowed into England by 1189?
- Wine
- Spices
- Luxury goods
- Textiles
What facilitated trade under Henry II?
His 1180s recoinage produced high-quality silver pennies.
What economic shift began undermining feudalism by 1189?
A rise in cash transactions over barter or service.
What was life like for the average villein in 1189?
Lived in one- or two-room cottages, worked long hours, paid heavy dues.
What was the average life expectancy in 1189?
Likely in the 30s or 40s.
What phrase reflected urban freedom for peasants?
Town air makes free.
How did the nobility express wealth in the 1180s?
- Building castles
- Gothic churches
- Founding monasteries
- Engaging in tournaments
What are examples of Gothic architectural growth in the 1180s?
- Canterbury Cathedral choir rebuilt
- York Minster’s transepts began
By 1189, what had happened to the divide between Normans and Saxons?
It had largely eroded.
What language did the elite speak vs. the commoners in 1189?
Nobles spoke French; commoners spoke English.
How did Henry II promote English cultural unity?
Employed English-born ministers and patronized English saints.
What legal development under Henry II applied across ethnic lines?
The growth of English common law.
