Life in Medieval towns Quiz

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

trial by ordeal: in which accused had to pass a dangerous test trial by combat: in which the accused had to fight to prove his or her innocence

What were some common diseases in medieval Europe?

-measles -cholera -scarlet fever -bubonic plague

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

-monarchs began setting up a system of royal courts

How were the homes of wealthy merchants different?

-much larger -first level for business -second for family living quarters -upper level for house servants

Was education emphasized?

-only some boys and a few girls attended school (so...no)

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

-people were fined or put in stocks (wooden frame with holes for the person's arms and sometimes legs) for those found guilty of minor crimes -those convicted of serious crimes could be hanged or burned at the stake

What were some practices or treatments used by medieval doctors?

-prayer, magic, herbal medicines -bloodletting, bleeding patients by opening up a vein (including the use of leeches) to suck out the blood

What work did boys grow up to do?

-same work as their fathers

Describe the typical home in a medieval town.

-small, crowded, and built of wood

List at least 3 different conditions in medieval towns that led to spread of disease

1) towns were dirty with no running water 2) garbage and wastes were tossed in the street 3) people lived in small crowded spaces 4) rats and fleas carried diseases

Describe the process of becoming a member of a guild: from age 12 to the end of the seven years

-Age 12 boys became apprentices--a person who works for a master in a trade or craft in exchange for training -where parents signed an agreement with the master of trade -master agreed to feed and take care of -end of the seven years, apprentices had produce a master piece

In the Early Middle Ages where did most people live? High Middle Ages?

-Early Middle Ages: most people who lived in western Europe lived in scattered communities in the countryside. -High Middle Ages: towns were growing up again.

How did farming improve the growth of towns?

-Improvement of agriculture by farmers clearing the forests and adopting better farming methods

How did some towns grow wealthier?

-Local people specialized in making specific types of goods, like Venice was known for making glass

How did merchants become permanent residents?

-Merchants who sold their wares (goods) in towns became permanent residents

What was the difference between a mystery play and a miracle play?

-Mystery plays: recreated stories from the Bible -Miracle plays: dramatized the lives of saints

What were guilds?

-Organizations of people who practiced the same craft/trade

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

-Provided them with money and food in time of need

Why were guilds established?

-Set up to make sure their members were treated fairly and produced quality goods

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

-Some places towns struggled to become independent; in others, town leaders purchased a charter (a written grant of rights by a ruler to a community) which gave them the right to govern themselves, make laws and raise taxes

What was common law?

-a body of rulings made by judges -both independent judges and new laws became a safeguard of individual rights -- replaced by trial by combat

What were some leisure activities enjoyed by adults in medieval Europe?

-adults games like chess, checkers, backgammon, card games, and dancing were popular

What was difficult about growing up in a medieval town?

-almost half of the children died -those who survived began preparing for their adult roles at 7

Where and who treated most people? Explain.

-although hospitals were invented during the Middle Ages, there were few of them so most people were treated in their homes by a family member

How were Jews often mistreated in medieval Europe? What opportunity was open to them that was not open to Christians? Why?

-because of religious prejudice and hostility, Jews found it hard to earn a living by farming, were not allowed to own land, and sometimes were victims of violence -the opportunity of banking and money lending open to Jews -Church that charging money for loans was sinful

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

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

What were some popular children's games in medieval Europe?

-children played with dolls and toys, such as wooden swords and hobbyhorses. They rolled hoops and played badminton, lawn bowling, and blindman's bluff

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

-early: people traded in luxury goods, which only wealthy could afford -high: more local people were trading more items like food and clothing

What work did girls grow up to do

-educated at home in cooking, cloth making, and running the home -typically married young and began raising kids soon after