Middle Ages-the Town and Religion and Normans Flashcards
Describe the high street
This was the only street that was paved or lined with wood and only important buildings were along the high street
What was a toll
This was a tax that traders had to pay at the town gates
What was a curfew
This was the time that all fires had to be out by in the town, because houses were made of wood they were strict on fire safety
What and where was the annual fair
It was held on the fair green outside the town walls and it lasted about three weeks, merchants came from all over the world and craftspeople bought materials, there was also entertainments
Tell me about sewers in the Middle Ages
There were none and there was only an open drain that ran down the middle of the street
What was leprosy
This was a disease, sores broke out all over people’s body and lepors were not allowed to mix with other people. It was a skin disease
When did the Black Death start
1347
How many people died from the plague
About one third of the population
Where did the bubonic plague come from
Fleas on black rats
Who died the most from the bubonic plague. What class?
The rich people as they lived in the city and the city was a dirty filthy place
What was a charter
A charter was a legal document in which the king agreed to let a town run its own affairs. Under the charter the townspeople would elect a council to run the town
Who were the rulers of the town
The members of the guilds
What was a guild
An organisation that every craft person had to belong to each craft had a guild
What is a craftsperson
A person who has learnt a craft. Ex: weaver/carpenter
How did each guild regulate its trade
They set examinations to make sure craft people were good at their craft.
Set standards of work and decent wages
It looked after sick members and paid for their funeral
Women were only allowed become members if their husband died and they wanted to continue on the craft
What were the stages of becoming a craftsperson
Apprentice, journeyman and master
What age did you become an apprentice and what did you do
You became an apprentice at 12 years of age, and stayed an apprentice for seven years and he had to learn the trade. The apprentice worked without pay
What was a journey man
An apprentice became a journeyman after seven years and was paid to work. He could leave his master and travel around looking for better wages, ex. We know masons travelled all over Europe and built churches
What did a master do and how did you become one
To become a master you had to create a masterpiece. Then you could have your own workshop and sell goods in the town. Along with the masterpiece you had to pay a lot of money to the guild. Most journeymen didn’t become masters as they couldn’t afford it.
What was the main religion in Western Europe during the Middle Ages
Christian
What were the duties of the parish priest
Say mass To teach people about Christianity Gave them sacraments Performed funerals They also sometimes taught the lords children, also he helped them with legal documents, as the priest was usually the only one who was educated in the town
What were parishes grouped into
Dioceses
Who ruled over the diocese
Bishop
Who ruled over all of the dioceses
The pope
Why did people build church buildings in the Middle Ages
They did this to honour their God and also to show how rich and powerful they were.
What were the two styles of church buildings
Romanesque and gothic
Describe a Romanesque church (characteristics)
A square towers
Round arches
Thick round columns
Dark interior
Describe a gothic church (characteristics)
Spires Pointed arches Slim columns Stained glass windows Stone Statues Flying buttresses
What were flying butteresses
They used them to hold up the roof rather than using thick walls, this allowed them to build huge windows
What did the Normans bring to Ireland in the 1200s
The feudal system
Where were the Normans from
They descended from Vikings and settled in Normandy France.
How did the Normans come to Ireland
The king of Leinster Dermot McMurrough invited the Normans to Ireland. He wanted them to help him defeat the other kings and make himself high king of Ireland.
Who was the head of the monastries
Abbot or abbess
What was the church
This was where the monks prayed seven times each day
What was the dormitory
Where the monks slept
What were the cloisters
The cloisters were where the monks walked and prayed
What was the chapter house
This was where monks met to discuss business and to elect the abbot
What was the infirmary
This was where the sick were nursed
What was the library
This was where the monks studied sometimes the scriptorium was in the library
What was the guesthouse
Where the hosteller gave food to poor and travellers
When a boy joined a monastry what was hé called and what did he do
A novice and they learned the rules to see if this life suited him and then if the abbot thought he would make a good monk he let him takes solemn vows
What were solemn vows
These were promises of poverty (must not own anything) chastity (must not marry) and obedience
What way did monks wear their hair
Their hair was cut into a tonsure. This was a bald patch in the middle of his head. This showed he was a monk
