Life in Medieval Towns- Chapter 4

What rights did a charter give townspeople?

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

Why were the homes of most town dwellers uncomfortable?

A dwellers family might have only one room where they cooked, ate, and slept. In general, people worked where they lived. If a father or mother was a weaver, for example, the loom would be in their home.

What were merchant fairs like?

A town might hold a merchant fair a couple of times a year. The goods for sale at large fairs came from all over Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. Goods from all over Europe and the East ( China and Middle east) attract new buyers and customers.

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

After an outbreak of illness, Jews—often a target of unjust anger and suspicion—were sometimes accused of poisoning wells.

What were guilds? Why were they established?

Both trade and the production of goods were overseen by organizations called guilds. Ensure quality of products, maintain standards, and protect workers.

What did homes in medieval European towns look like?

Built of wood, crowded, could be up to 4 stories high (often leaning over)

Where were towns in Medieval Europe often located and why?

By trade routes and water. Communities in the countryside and rely strictly on agriculture for survival.

What were some common diseases in medieval Europe?

Common diseases at this time included measles, cholera, smallpox, and scarlet fever. The most feared disease was bubonic plague, known as the Black Death.

What were some ways criminals were punished in medieval Europe?

For lesser crimes, people were fined or put in the stocks. The stocks were a wooden frame with holes for the person's arms and sometimes legs. Greater crimes- Hang or burn at the stake

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

Girls married young and were raising children of their own around the age of 15. Education was at home, they learned cooking, cloth making, and other skills necessary to care for a home and family.

How did guilds help members and families of members?

Guilds provided help and protection for the people doing a certain kind of work, and they maintained high standards. Guilds controlled the hours of work and set prices. Took care of them if sick or unable to work.

What were two methods for deciding the guilt or innocence of accused criminals in the Early Middle Ages?

In the Early Middle Ages, trial by ordeal or combat was often used to establish an accused person's guilt or innocence. (not trial by jury). In a trial by ordeal, the accused person had to pass a dangerous test, such as being thrown into a deep well, or stick their hand in a boiling pot. Harsh punishments

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

Many people thought if they prayed they would be cured and the dirty conditions spread diseases quickly and made conditions bad. They made life very unsanitary it was smelly, dirty, and had to use the bathroom in a bucket. No cures for many diseases. Many rodents and fleas were common.

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

Merchant guilds came to dominate the business life of towns and cities. In towns that had become independent, members of merchant guilds often sat on town councils or were elected mayor.

What contribute to the growth of towns in medieval Europe?

One reason for their growth was improvements in agriculture. More crops to sell, more trade

Why were towns in medieval Europe dangerous places?

Pickpockets and thieves were always on the lookout for travelers with money in their pouches. Towns were especially dangerous at night, because there were no streetlights. Towns were unsafe as well as: Noisy, smelly, and crowded.

Why was growing up in medieval towns difficult?

Rooms were cold, smoky, and dim and fireplaces were the only source of heat and light. Half of the children did before adulthood. Prepared for adulthood at age 7.

How did a person become a member of a guild?

Starting around age 12, a boy, and sometimes a girl, became an apprentice. An apprentice's parents signed an agreement with a master of the trade. The master agreed to house, feed, and train the apprentice. Became a master after 7 years.

How were the Jews often mistreated in medieval Europe?

The hostility of Christians, sometimes backed up by laws, made it difficult for Jews to earn their living. They were not allowed to own land. Their lords sometimes took their property and belongings at will. Jews could also be the targets of violence.

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

With the growth of trade and commerce, merchants grew increasingly powerful and wealthy. They ran sizable businesses and looked for trading opportunities far from home. Merchant guilds came to dominate the business life of towns and cities. In towns that had become independent, members of merchant guilds often sat on town councils or were elected mayor.

What are some examples of craft guilds in medieval Europe?

There were two main kinds of guilds: merchant guilds and craft guilds. All types of craftspeople had their own guilds, from cloth makers to cobblers (who made shoes, belts, and other leather goods), to the stonemasons who built the great cathedrals.

What were some common practices used by medieval doctors?

Using herbs as medicine had a long history based on traditional folk wisdom and knowledge handed down from ancient Greece and Rome. Another common technique was to "bleed" patients by opening a vein or applying leeches to the skin to suck out blood. Used silly methods almost like magic charms.