Economic and Social Changes Flashcards
In Anglo-Saxon England, who controlled villages?
A noble of the manor
How much of the village land did the nobles of the manor keep?
1/4
What did bailiffs do?
Collected taxes for the King, made sure crops were gathered and debts were paid
How much of the population lived in the countryside?
90%
What did peasants rely on for food?
The seasons - they grew their own crops
What was the tithe?
A tax paid by peasants to the Church
Why did trade increase under the Normans?
They had strong links with areas such as Normandy, Gascony and Flanders
Give an example of a town that grew due to trade.
London, Southampton, Boston
What was a franchise?
A grant from the King to hold a market
How many franchises did William I grant?
2,800
Give an example of how the Normans treated townspeople well.
They were allowed to travel, had legal protections
What was the hierarchy like in urban areas?
Elite: lawyers, merchants
Middle: craftsmen
Bottom: ordinary workers
How did castles help towns grow?
They became hubs for trade and services, as well as providing defence
What did the Normans build in towns? (apart from castles)
Cathedrals
By 1100, how many new towns were in England?
21
What were guilds?
Orders of workers
What were burgesses?
Community leaders
What sort of things did burgesses do?
Rent and sell land from nobility, buy and sell property
How did guilds help towns become more influential?
Burgesses created guilds -> guilds grew in power, making towns more influential
How was there continuity for many peasants?
Most of the population were villeins - life continued as normal. They were still considered the property of their noble
How was there change for many peasants?
The Normans freed enslaved Anglo-Saxons
How was there continuity in diet?
Crops didn’t change - peasants still had the same diet
What crops did peasants farm?
Wheat, rye, barley
What was the average peasant diet?
Bread, vegetable soup, porridge
