Life in Medieval Towns
What were Medieval Towns like? Explain. Why were pictures hung around shops and businesses?
~Protected by thick stone walls; visitors entered through gates; inside, homes and businesses lined paved streets. ~Most people could not read.
Where did most people live at the start of the Middle Ages? Where did they live by the 12th century?
~In the countryside, either on feudal manprs or in religious communities. ~Towns were growing around castles and monasteries and along trade routes.
What were the streets like? What were the town squares like?
~Streets were very narrow. ~Squares were crowded with people, horses, and carts; no garbage collection-unpleasant smells.
Where were towns in medieval Europe often located, and why?
Located next to rivers, which made trade easier.