A: Renaissance Europe - 1. Times of Change Flashcards
Middle Ages
476 - 1450
The medieval era, often called The Middle Ages or the Dark Ages, began around 476 A.D. following a great loss of power throughout Europe by the Roman Emperor. The Middle Ages span roughly 1,000 years, ending between 1400 and 1450.
Feudalism
The system of political organization during the Middle Ages in which the lords owned the land and all others served them.
Feudalism was a hierarchy so power was concentrated in the higher ranks.
Hierarchy
People are ranked one above another according to their importance.
A social system in which status is ranked, and power is concentrated in the higher ranks
Medieval hierarchy from most important to least important
Name all the levels in the feudalism hierarchy
- the crown (king)
- barons, abbots, and bishops
- knights
- commoners (Peasants such as Freeholders and Serfs)
Allegiance
Loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to an individual or group.
In the middle ages, nobles or knights swore allegiance (loyalty) to the king. They promised to fight for him in exchange for the rights to pieces of land called manors or fiefs.
How do bishops get their land?
from the king
bishops are part of the church system, and over time the church became a very large landowner. As a result the church was very important to medieval people in their practical and spiritual lives.
Bishop vs. Barons
bishops and barons have the same amount of power, they are almost at the top of the hierarchy, with just the king above them.
Manor
Nobles and knights promised to fight for the king in exchange for the right to the pieces of land called manors.
A manor is a piece of land sometimes called a fief that houses many people: the peasants and the nobles and knights.
The manor exists because it houses the peasants that do work for the nobles and knights, but also houses the nobles and knights.
Freeholders were able to rent land from the king or would work the land for the king. And serfs worked the land for the king with little pay.
What were peasants expected to do on manors?
Farm and turn over food to the nobles, build roads, and clear forests
Serfs
Peasants who worked the land for the lord and were not allowed to leave without the lords permission. When they did travel, they rarely went farther than the nearest town.
How could runaway serfs gain freedom?
They had to stay in a town for a year and a day without being discovered.
Freeman / Freeholders
Peasants who rented land or worked for pay ( were able to come and go and not restricted to the land where they work)
- unskilled peasants could learn trades
- peasants that were good at making shoes could open a workshop to produce and sell shoes
- some peasants worked for wealthy merchants as servants and labourers
What were some positives to country life?
•You were guaranteed housing and a job
Each family had their own patch of land
What were some negatives to country life?
- They had to give food to the nobles
- Some were serfs and so could not leave the land without permission ; freeholders could leave but they needed to work in order to be paid so still had to work hard
- the lord could order the peasants to do almost anything (clear forests, make roads, farm etc.)
Medieval town life
- medieval towns were centres for farm communities
- the towns were close to a castle, palace, or large monastery
- citizens would build stone walls around the town to protect themselves from rival cities or lords
- local goods as well as goods from other countries were available in shops in the towns
- towns were crowded, dirty, and rat infested
- towns offered freedom and new opportunities
What are some positive to town life?
You were able to learn a trade
You had more freedom
You could become a merchant
What are some downsides to town life?
People were not guaranteed housing or a job
They were crowded dirty rat infested
guild
cooperative organizations
- controlled the prices of goods
- set standards of quality
- decided who would be admitted to the craft as an apprentice
- guilds took care of members and their families in case of illness or accident
Basically a union, they controlled the prices of goods, set standards of quality, and decided who would be admitted to the craft as a trainee. They also acted as insurance
Apprentice
Starting at about 8 years old, a child usually went to live and work at the home of a master and learn a trade. After years of training and once old enough they could become a journeyman.
Journeyman
A person who has learned a trade and joined the trade having apprenticed already and would be admitted to the guild
- After years of working and training they would take a test to become a journeyman and be admitted to the guild.
- Years later, after more study and practice, they would become masters.
Master
After years of more study and practice, a journeyman can become a master
- They could open their own business an dtake on their own apprentices
What was the role of rural women?
- They usually had many children
- they shared the hard work in the fields with their husbands
- Wove cloth
- Made clothes
- Cooked meals
- preserved meals