Chapter 23 Study Guide - Shorter Answers

Who were the Cistercian Monks and what did they do for society?

Cistercian monks helped expand farming in Europe. They were particularly instrumental in introducing sheep farming to new regions. They also sold agricultural products including wool from the sheep. In this way they strengthened the trade of textiles (cloth). Also, many Cistercian monasteries were in the country, so the monks used the peasants to cultivate the land for the first time. The Cistercians embraced poverty and simplicity.

What were guilds?

A guild is a group of workers practicing the same craft, who join together to protect their economic interests.

What was drama like during the middle ages?

Actors put on "mystery plays" based on stories from the bible. Many of the plays were staged by the church to introduce the bible to a predominately illiterate population.

What was important about the harness and the horseshoe?

1) The harness gave the farmers more control over the horse. 2) The harness also allowed the horse to pull heavier loads. 3) The horseshoe gave the horse more stability.

Why did a famine occurred in Europe between 1315-1317?

1) The weather: it rained so much the crops were ruined and cattle died. 2) The Black Death spread across Europe leaving too few people healthy enough to grow the food and work the fields. 3) Roaming Armies destroyed crops during the Hundreds Years' War.

What is the three-field system in crop-rotation.

1/3 of the land planted with spring crops, 1/3 planted with winter crops, and 1/3 was left fallow (or empty). The next Spring the fallow field was planted.

Why were banks needed and how did the banking system work?

Banks were needed because it was not safe to simply carry your money,.. especially if you were traveling trader. So merchants created a system that allowed travelers and traders to deposit their money in one bank and withdraw their money from a different bake.

After the Bubonic Plague, the feudal system started to come to an end. Why?

Because so many peasant workers died, Manor Lords were desperate for workers. Serfs who survived the plague left the manor in search of new lords willing to pay higher wages. Many Lords responded by trying to limit the serfs movements and freeze their pay. The peasants revolted... killing lords and burning manors. The revolts were eventually crushed but feudalism never recovered.

Explain the growth of universities.

Before the medieval university grew into existence, students were mostly studying to become priests at schools attached to cathedrals. But during the medieval period these schools began teach more subjects and quickly grew into universities that focused on training scholars at the highest level (not just religious learning but learning at a broad level). Students focused on the "liberal arts" meant to develop their powers of reasoning. People came from all over Europe to study in Bologna in Italy, and Paris in France, and Oxford in England. One interesting fact: because the church preserved Latin as an official language, students who spoke different languages were able to come together and communicate and learn in Latin (a shared language).

Why were the new systems of farming (with crop rotation) better than the old systems of farming?

Crop rotation allowed the soil to recover some of its natural fertility. New farming techniques also led to more textiles (like wool) and more healthier foods. Plus, farmers could now guarantee a steadier year-round supply of these items, which historians believe led to an increase in the population.

What weapon gave the English an advantage in the war?What other important weapons came into use at this time?

EARLY BATTLES: The longbow was the powerful weapon that helped England win the early battles. LATER BATTLES: Guns and cannons.

The Hundred Years War was fought by what countries and why?

Edward III of England claimed the throne of France. The war was between France and England. 1337- 1453.

How did the practice of chivalry change during this time (specifically with knights)?

KNIGHTS WERE NOW EXPECTED TO DEFEND THE CHURCH... NOT THE KING. During the medieval period, the church began to reshape chivalry (and the code of knights) to reflect the values of the church (especially generosity and humility and mercy). KNIGHTS WERE NOW EXPECTED TO DEFEND THE CHURCH... NOT THE KING.

Who was St. Francis of Assisi?

He was one of the best known mendicant priests. He grew up rich and spoiled. But he had a powerful religious experience and believed he was called to live as simply as Jesus. He believed that all nature was a reflection of God and referred to animals as his brothers and sisters.

Who was Thomas Aquinas and what did he emphasize?

He was one of the greatest medieval scholars. He was a professor at the University of Paris. He believed that human reason was the best path to discover knowledge. In contrast, many church scholars believed that faith was the only path to truth. Aquinas wanted to show that reason and faith could go together. He argued that because both faith and reason came from God they were not in conflict. Aquinas also believed in natural law.

How did trade increase during this time?

Increased trade is directly related to increased food. Because there was so much food, they could trade the excess. Also, the crusades led to an awareness of "what's out there beyond our borders" so people started trading with other countries.

Who became the scapegoat for the disease?

Jews were accused of spreading the plague by poisoning wells.

How did monasteries play an important role in the middle ages?

Monasteries were the center of life. In rural areas, monasteries were the center of agricultural production. In the cities, the monasteries were the centers of education.

In what way did increased food production change society?

More food = more people. So increased food production led to 1) population growth, 2) a more vibrant economy 3), increased trade, and 4) more people moving to town-centers.

What are the advances of architecture during the middle ages?

Religion also inspired much of the groundbreaking architecture of the period. Especially the new building style that came to be known as Gothic. Many Medieval Cathedrals can be described as Gothic. Gothic combined religious symbolism and imagery (such as stained glass windows) with engineering advances that permitted architects to build larger buildings (such as Flying Buttresses).

Who was Joan of Arc and how did she help France? What happened to her?

She was a young peasant woman who claimed that voices from heaven told her to dress in knight's clothing. She turned the tide of the war in favor of France by leading the French army to victory in several key battles against the English. Joan was eventually captured by the English, tried for heresy, and burned at the stake. The French defeated the English and won the war after Joan's death. She is honored today in France as a hero and a saint.

How did the growth of towns begin to weaken the feudal manor system?

T he average person was more free in the city. Many peasants left the manor for a chance at a better life in the the city. As peasants deserted the rural manors, the feudal system began to collapse.

What was the horrible disease that swept through Europe in the mid 1300s and how did it affect the population? Where did the disease come from?

THE BUBONIC PLAGUE (The Great Dying... later became known as The Black Death). One theory suggests that it was spread by fleas that lived on rats. But one form of the disease was also carried through the air and inhaled. The Plague arrived in Europe from Asia on merchant ships. The disease started in the port cities and spread across Europe. Soon every corner of Europe was infected. The disease killed a significant amount of Europe and Asia's population.

Why was the middle ages often called "The Age of Faith?"

The Middle Ages are called The Age of Faith because of the rise of religion in everyday life: including architecture, music, art and literature.

What was the mendicant order?

The mendicant orders were founded to fight heresy and to preach to ordinary people. Mendicants or beggars owned no property. They survived by begging for food and drink.

What are some examples of guilds and how did they work?

There was a guild for merchants and a guild for shoemakers... there was a guild for weavers and bricklayers guild. Workers who practiced these trades or professions joined together to protect their economic interests. Members of the guilds paid dues. Those dues were used to help the collective membership. For example, if a guild member died, the guild would pay for the funeral and often take care of the worker's widow and children. Also, guilds created standards and regulations... if a guild member sold shoddy goods or cheated a customer that guild member could be punished.

How did the new iron plow and the horse improve farming during the High Middle Ages?

Two words: "increased efficiency." Iron blades cut deeper into the soil and turned over more dirt. Horses were faster than Oxen and did not require as much food.