Life in Medieval Towns Notes Activity

3. What rights did a charter give townspeople?

A charter granted townspeople the right to govern themselves, make laws, and raise taxes.

25. What were some leisure activities enjoyed by adults?

Adults enjoyed playing with chess, checkers, and backgammon, card games, dancing, and go to other social activities.

5. How did a person become a member of a guild?

At age 12, a person who wanted to learn a trade became an apprentice. He lived and worked in the home of a guild master. After 7 years, apprentice will create "master piece" for the guild to approve. If it met their standards, apprentice was given the right to become a master, open own business and become a member of a guild.

18. What were some common practices used by medieval doctors?

Bloodletting, used of magic charms, consulting the position of the planets and use of herbs were common practices used by doctors in medieval times.

24. What were some games that were popular with children?

Children played with dolls and toys, wooden swords, balls, hobby-horses, hoops, badminton, lawn bowling, and blind man's bluff.

16. How did unhealthy living conditions and limited medical knowledge affect life in medieval European towns?

Diseases spread rapidly, and people were always sick because of the unhealthy living conditions in medieval towns, and many people could not be cured because of limited medical knowledge.

6. What are some examples of craft guilds in medieval Europe?

Examples of craft guilds in medieval Europe are: Cloth makers Cobblers who made shoes, belts, and other leather goods. The stonemasons who built the great cathedrals.

14. Why was growing up in medieval towns difficult?

Growing up in a medieval town was difficult because most children died before they became adults. Boys began working as early as age 7 to prepare for adult roles.

7. How did guilds help members and families of members?

Guilds provided money to members and their families who were sick and unable to work.

4. What were guilds? Why were they established?

Guilds were organization of people who practiced the same craft or trade. They were established to provide help and protection to their members and they maintained high standards in both trade and production of goods.

2. What contributed to the growth of towns in medieval Europe?

Improved farming methods and the revival of trade with the Middle East and Asia contributed to the growth of towns in medieval Europe.

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

Medieval girls married young at the age of 15, and have kids. They learned skills like cooking, and cloth making at home.

9. What were merchant fairs like?

Merchant fairs were large and sold goods from all over Europe and the east. They attracted merchants from many countries.

8. What role did merchants play in the growth of medieval European towns?

Merchants attracted more people to medieval towns by selling food and goods, so when trade and commerce grew, medieval European towns also grew.

22. What were some ways criminals were punished?

People were fined, put in stocks in public, thrown into a deep well, forced to fight to prove his or her innocence, hanged and burned at the stake in the in front of large crowds.

17. What were some common diseases in medieval Europe?

Some common diseases in medieval Europe includes: Measles Cholera Smallpox Scarlet fever Leprosy, a disease of the skin and nerves that causes open sores. The most feared disease was bubonic plague, known as the Black Death.

19. What group was sometimes blamed when an outbreak of a disease occurred?

The Jews were often a target of unjust anger and suspicion and blamed when an outbreak of a disease occurred.

27. How did the Church's attitude towards mystery and miracle plays differ from that of townspeople?

The church disapproved mystery and miracle plays, while the townspeople enjoyed them.

26. What was the difference between mystery plays and miracle plays?

Mystery plays were about the bible stories while miracle plays were about the lives of saints.

23. How did the way in which those accused of crimes were treated begin to improve?

The king set up a nationwide system of royal courts instead of instant punishment. To safeguard individual rights, court system and English common law were used. Court trials based on written and oral evidence replaced trials by ordeal or combat.

20. Why were towns in Medieval Europe dangerous places?

There are many pickpockets and thieves stealing money from travellers and at night there were no streetlights.

12. What did homes in medieval European towns look like?

Homes in medieval European towns were built of wood, and over time started to lean. Homes were narrow, crowded and can be up to 4 stories high.

13. Why were the homes of most town dwellers uncomfortable?

Homes of town dwellers were uncomfortable because many families in poor neighborhood share a single house. A family cooked, ate, and slept in 1 room. Life of wealthy families were not always comfortable because the rooms were cold, smoky, and dark, and the fireplace was the only source of heat.

11. How were Jews often mistreated in medieval Europe?

Jews often were mistreated in medieval Europe because: It was difficult for Jews to earn their living since their lords took their property and belongings. Jews are target of violence, being looked down and abused. They were not allowed to own land.

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

Towns in medieval Europe were located around the castles and monasteries and along trade routes because it is the centers of trade and industry. Also, towns were often located near rivers because it made trade easier.

21. What were two methods for deciding the guilt or innocence of accused criminals?

Trial by ordeal and trial by combat were the two methods for deciding the guilt or innocence of accused criminals during the Early Middle Ages.

10. How did merchants become the most wealthy and powerful members of towns?

When trade and commerce grew, merchants become the most wealthy and powerful members of towns because they own businesses selling variety of goods from faraway lands. Merchant guilds dominated the town's business life. In independent towns, merchants joined town councils or were elected mayor.