Lesson 6: Life in Medieval Towns

What was difficult about childhood in a medieval town?

Almost half of all children died. Those who survived began preparing for their adult roles at age seven.

How were Jews often mistreated in medieval Europe? What opportunity was open to them?

Because of religious prejudice which kept them from owning land, Jews found it hard to earn a living by farming, and sometimes they were the victims of violence. Rulers took their property at will. Two opportunities open to Jews were banking and money lending.

How did trade change from the beginning of the Middle Ages to the High Middle Ages?

Early in the Middle Ages, people traded in luxury goods, which only the wealthy could afford. Later, more local people were trading more and more kinds of goods, including everyday items such as food and clothing.

What were some ways in which criminals were punished in medieval Europe?

Fines and the stocks were used to punish those found guilty of minor crimes. Those convicted of more serious crimes could be hanged or burned at the stake.

How did guilds help their members and the families of their members?

Guilds provided them with money and food in times of need.

What contributed to the growth of towns in medieval Europe?

Improved farming methods and the revival of trade contributed to the growth of towns.

How was a town able to become independent of a feudal lord?

In some places, towns struggled violently for independence. In others, the town leaders purchased a charter which gave them the right to govern themselves.

What were some common practices or treatments used by medieval doctors?

Medieval doctors used prayer, magic, and herbal medicines. Bloodletting, including the use of leeches, was also popular.

How did merchants become the most wealthy and powerful citizens of towns?

Merchants became wealthy and powerful by selling a variety of goods from faraway lands, dominating the town's business life, and joining town councils

What were some common diseases in medieval Europe?

Some common diseases in medieval Europe were measles and bubonic plague.

Describe the typical home in a medieval town.

Most homes in medieval towns were small, crowded, and built of wood. The homes of the wealthy were much larger.

common law

a body of rulings made by judges that become part of a nation's legal system

bubonic plague

a deadly contagious disease caused by bacteria and spread by fleas

journeyman

a person who has learned a particular trade or craft but has not become an employer, or master

residents

a person who lives somewhere permanently or on a long-term basis.

apprentice

a person who works for an expert in a trade or craft in return for training

minstrel

a singer or musician who sang or recited poems to music played on a harp or other instrument

leprosy

a skin and nerve disease that causes open sores on the body and can lead to serious complications and death

miracle play

a type of religious drama in the Middle Ages based on stories about saints

mystery play

a type of religious drama in the Middle Ages based on stories from the Bible

charter

a written grant of rights and privileges by a ruler or government to a community, class of people, or organization

guild

an organization of people in the same craft or trade

surplus

more than what is needed or used; excess.

isolated

separate from others

commerce

the buying and selling of goods

dominate

to have control of or power over (someone or something)

domain

the land controlled by a ruler or lord

What changes to the court system helped protect individual rights in the early 1100s in England?

Monarchs began setting up a system of royal courts. This contributed to a growing body of common law. Both the independent judiciary and the new laws became a safeguard of individual rights and replaced trial by ordeal and combat.

How were the lives of medieval girls different from those of modern girls?

Most girls were educated at home in cooking, weaving, and other skills for running a home. They typically married young and began raising children soon after. Only girls from wealthier families might have time to follow pursuits that were not strictly necessary.

Why were Guilds established?

They were set up to make sure their members were treated fairly and kept high standards for their work.

Where were towns in medieval Europe often located, and why?

Towns were often located next to rivers or by the sea, which made trade easier

List at least three different conditions in medieval towns that led to the spread of disease.

Towns were very dirty places with no running water. Garbage and wastes were tossed in the streets. People lived in small crowded spaces. Rats and fleas were common and carried diseases.

Describe two methods for deciding the guilt or innocence of accused criminals in the Early Middle Ages.

Two methods were trial by ordeal, in which the accused had to pass a dangerous test, and trial by combat, in which the accused had to fight to prove his or her innocence, or could have someone fight for him or her.