Changes in Medieval Society

Changes in Medieval Society 

A. Drawing Conclusions As you read this section, make notes in the chart to explain the results of each change or trend in medieval society. 

1. Farmers began using a new type of harness that fitted across a horse’s chest. 

• Could plow three times as much land in one day
• Horses replaced oxen to plow and pull wagons
• Forests were cleared for fields

2. Using the three-field system, farmers began to grow crops on two-thirds of their land each year, rather than half. 

• Food production increases
• Well-fed people could resist disease better
• Longer lifespan
• European population grew 

3. Merchant and craft guilds organize and change ways to do business. 

• More and better goods were available
•  Guilds became powerful forces in the economy

4. The Commercial Revolution changes trade and banking practices. 

• There were fairs for trading
• Letters of credit were made between merchants
• No more carrying large amounts of cash

5. As trade blossomed and farming methods improved, the population of western Europe rose from around 30 million to about 42 million between 1000 and 1150. 

• Trade was the  lifeblood
• Ports and crossroads sprung up
• Runaway serfs
• villages were dirty

6. As people left life on the manor for life in towns, they challenged the traditional ways of feudal society in which every- one had a place.

• People were heavily taxed, fees, and rents
• Merchants took a stand
• Fights with landlords

7. Authors began writing in the vernacular. 

• Wrote masterpieces
• Some still used today
• brought literature to many people

8. Growing trade and growing cities brought a new interest in learning. 

• Universities emerged
• Earning a bachelor’s degree
• Many years of schooling

9. Christian scholars from Europe visited Muslim libraries in Spain, and Jewish scholars translated Arabic copies of Greek writings into Latin. 

• Europeans acquired a huge new body of knowledge
• science, philosophy, law, mathematics, and other fields
• Crusaders brought back to Europe superior Muslim technology in ships, navigation, and weapons

B. Recognizing Facts and Details On the back of this paper, briefly explain how each of the following contributed to intellectual life during medieval times: 

Dante Alighieri- wrote The Divine Comedy (1308–1314) in Italian.

Geoffrey Chaucer- wrote The Canterbury Tales (about 1386–1400) in English.

Christine de Pisan- wrote The Book of The City of Ladies (1405) in French.

Thomas Aquinas- Aquinas wrote the Summa Theologicae.

Chapter 14 Section 2 Assessment

TERMS & NAMES 1. For each term or name, write a sentence explaining its significance.

• three-field system- organize their lands into three fields instead of two. Two of the fields were planted and the other lay fallow (resting) for a year.

 • guild- an organization of individuals in the same business or occupation working to improve the economic and social conditions of its members.

• Commercial Revolution- Increased availability of trade goods and new ways of doing business changed life in Europe.

• burgher- merchant-class town dwellers

• vernacular- the everyday language of their homeland

• Thomas Aquinas-  argued that the most basic religious truths could be proved

by logical argument

• scholastics- fellow scholars who met at the great universities were known as schoolmen.

2. How did medieval society change between 1000 and 1500? Describe the major changes that occurred during the 500 year period. *Minimum one paragraph response.

Medieval society changed between 1000 and 1500. Major changes that occurred was everything listed above from the guilds who advanced and increased trade to the scholastics who were well educated and schooled. Many people and groups play a major role in the history of the changes in medieval society/period.

MAIN IDEAS

3. How did guilds influence business practices in medieval towns?

They increased trade heavily to make a living.

4. How were Muslim scholars linked to the revival of learning in Europe?

Muslim libraries were built. Superior Muslim technology in ships, navi-

gation, and weapons.

5. In what ways did burghers expand their freedom from landlords?

resented this interference in their trade and commerce. They organized themselves and demanded privileges.