Popular culture Flashcards
1
Q
Define culture
A
The beliefs, values, customs and practices belonging to the vast majority of Europeans.
2
Q
How did Burke define the elite?
A
He argued that the ‘‘elite’’ were the learned, literate ones who could appreciate higher thought. They attended schools, universities, and belonged to positions of authority. They participated in ‘elite culture’ which was derived from intellectual traditions of philosophy, theology, and scientific inquiry.
3
Q
examples of private urban culture
A
musicial performances e.g. singing popular songs by servants while working or the purchase of wealthy individuals
4
Q
in rural culture where were many events held?
A
inns, or outside
5
Q
why were winter celebrations less important than may festivals in rural areas?
A
they were held in inns or outside
6
Q
how many Europeans lived and worked in the countryside
A
9/10
7
Q
why were rural areas less sophisticated?
A
less literacy - limited access to books
small size of dwellings could not accommodate large celebrations
8
Q
give an example of illiteracy in rural areas
A
in isolated areas mountainous regions such as the Pyrenees the village priest was probably the only individual who could read.
9
Q
what were some important festivals?
A
May Day, Midsummer, Harvest, All Hallows and All Saints, St Nicholas, Christmas
10
Q
what unique custom did Austria and Germany have during All Saints Day
A
baked a small sound cake called a ‘souling’ to give to all the christened souls
11
Q
how did gender roles influence popular culture?
A
women considered inferior to men. women had less freedom in southern Europe than in Northern Europe, particularly England, Italy and Spain aka daughters were currency
12
Q
in which countries did women have less freedom?
A
southern European countries e.g Italy and Spain
13
Q
which cultural elements allowed women control?
A
child- birth women’s only event
women acted as an unofficial information highway and shaped public opinion through gossiping
14
Q
was there a difference in Eastern and Western popular culture?
A
Yes. Western- most ordinary people were peasants who paid rent to a landowner. Eastern- many were still serfs and forced to provide labour.
15
Q
Give an example of religous differences affecting lifestyles
A
1522 in Geneva there was conflict over whether or not one should fast during lent.
16
Q
In what year was there conflict over fasting during Lent in Geneva?
A
1522
17
Q
what were the most important features of popular culture shared by most people?
A
- women were treated the same
- both rural and urban areas experienced epidemics
- public opinion was still a weapon of some significance, and retaining a good name was something that mattered to elite and common classes.
- most were dependent on the harvest, so reliant on weather. some went hungry
- everyday hazards of work and an unbalanced diet took a toll on life
18
Q
in what year and where were people executed for plague spreading?
A
1570, Geneva
19
Q
What did Southern Europe culture focus on?
A
Outdoor focus e.g processions and parades
20
Q
What did Northern European culture tend to focus on?
A
Indoor focus and less exuberant culture
21
Q
Where the nobles one united class?
A
No - royal families, court nobility and nobles with smaller land holdings
22
Q
What does Southern Europe culture tend to focus on?
A
Outdoor focus such aa processions and parades
23
Q
What does Northern Europe culture tend to focus on?
A
Indoor focus and less exuberant culture
24
Q
Nobles had different privileges in different parts of Europe explain how using examples
A
Italy + Netherlands - strong links to towns, cities and commercial activities
France - opposite not involved in towns
25
Was there a common Church culture between the learned elites?
No
1500 mainly Catholic with some heretical groups e.g Lollards + some religious nationalism e.g anti-papalism but after Reformation they were divided by theological issues meaning there was no longer one common Church culture.
26
What was involved in Court Masques?
Music, dancing, singing, acting, lavish set designs and costumes
27
What could Masques be used for? Give an example
To portray political messages
- The Vision of the Twelve Goddesses arranged by Anne of Denmark in January 1604 was arranged to allude to both Catholicism and Protestantism with the aim of preserving a delicate peace between Denmark, Spain and France.
- the 'Triumph of Peace' 1634 upheld the belief that the spirits of peace, law and justice were bestowed upon the English monarch.
28
What may the middling sorts seek to do?
- emphasise their respectability in order to distinguish themselves
- may try to emulate the wealthier classes cultural activities
- may seek to embrace learning as a way of appearing better than those below them
29
What did growth in towns and cities during the 15th and 16th centuries lead to?
creation of a new urban class
30
what led to the growth of a new urban class?
growth in towns and cities
31
give examples of growth in cities
- London grew from 10.5 million in 1500 to over 100 million by 1800
-The Italian City states grew from 10.5 million in 1500 to 13.3 million in 1600
32
what was London's population in 1500?
10.5 million
33
what was London's population in 1800?
over 100
34
How was the economic hierarchy of urban culture reflected in the social hierarchy?
As in towns + cities the different trades and nationalities would congregate in specific areas and create neighbourhood culture that was different to elsewhere in that location
35
Give an example of how the economic hierarchy of urban culture reflected in the social hierarchy
In London, French Huguenots lived in whitechapel and German Hanseatic Merchants lived in or near the 'Steelyard' to the West of London Bridge
36
what were processions and pageants usually?
civic processions by guild or organised by royalty
37
where did the Danish and English monarchs process publicly?
through their capital cities
38
What was the growing sophistication of urban culture a consequence of?
The ever-widening reach of education
39
what did the widening reach of education lead to?
growing sophistication of urban culture
40
What sort of things did Broadsheets show? Give examples
detailed acts of criminals in Bologna and Venice in 1530s
- Luthers conflict with Charles v and Rome
- Shocking tales such as the 'Monster of Ravenna' of 1512 tales about witchcraft
41
where and when did broadsheets portray the acts of criminals?
Bologna and Venice in 1530s
42
give an example of a shocking tale included in a broadsheet
the 'Monster of Ravenna' of 1512 tales about witchcraft
43
what did ballads cover?
- political relationships e.g 'The Spanish Romance of Ambenamar'
- romantic love e.g 'The wandering Virgin'
- Dealing with annoying wives 'The Night Raven'
- political protests 'The Powets Complaint' 17th century
44
give an example of a ballad which covered political relationships
The Spanish romance of Ambenamar
45
give an example of a ballad which covered romantic love
the wandering virgin
46
give an example of a ballad which covered how to deal with annoying wives
the night raven
47
give an example of a ballad which covered political protest (and century)
the powets complaint - 17th century
48
patron saint of butchers
st.adrian
49
patron saint of carpenters
st. Joseph
50
patron saint of printers
St.Augustine
51
patron saint of fishmongers
St Peter
52
patron saints of London, England
St George and St Paul
53
patron saint of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
St Nicholas
54
patron saint of Sweden
St Eric of Sweden
55
patron saints of Rome
St Lawrence, St Peter, St Paul
56
patron saint of farmers
St Benedict
57
patron saint of animals
St Cuthbert
58
Which religious festivals occurred in January? What did they include?
12th Night - drinking jokes and ribald behaviour
Epiphany eve - songs and blessings in exchange for food, blessing of crops
6-19th celebration of Christ's baptism
59
3 arguments for popular culture being the same for everyone
PC associated with religion
PC associated with social control
PC associated with the elite
60
how was popular culture associated with religion the same for everyone across the period?
For everyone:
- Popular Culture was appropriated by the Church to exert control over the wider population as the Liturgical year reinforced the bonds between the laity and the Church.
Obligatory attendance at Church:
- Cemented the relationship between God, the Church and the masses.
- Provided a clear set of moral values to govern society.
- Persuaded the masses to accept control by the religious and political authorities.
Saints’ Days and religious parades and festivals:
- Reinforced collective worship.
- Created and supported the maintenance of community
ties through inclusivity versus excluding outsiders /
others.
61
counter-argument + key info for popular culture associated with religion being the same for everyone?
- Attempts to suppress popular culture by Protestant, Catholic and Puritan authorities led to: Protestant / Puritan – increased focus upon morality and attempts to reduce ’immoral behaviour’ at festivals.
- Catholic Church an increased focus upon the religious elements of Saints days.
- Dominance of the Church through Popular culture was undermined through the new Pop Cult development of Woodcuts – tabloid style.
62
How was popular culture associated with social control the same for everyone?
- Popular Culture reinforced the parameters of a largely Patriarchal society.
- Popular culture reinforced acceptable social boundaries and behaviours.
- Festivals of Misrule ensured controlled release from social and religious control and opportunities for limited criticism, then enabled a return to a controlled society.
63
counter argument for PC associated with social control being the same for everyone
Some reduction of use of festivals for ‘controlled criticism’ due to elite fears about social unrest.
Increased use of Pop Cult to inspire nationalistic feelings not just acceptance of local authority.
64
How was PC associated with elite the same for everyone?
- Popular Culture was used to enforce the political status quo.
- In rural areas, local lords financed Feast days and festivals which symbolically illustrated their dominant socio-economic position and formed bonds of economic co-dependency between the upper and lower classes – rewards for the workers from the employer.
- In Urban areas the role of the guild groups in Festivals and public pageants enabled them to parade their limited economic, social and political power within the overall hierarchy of society.
- Public Festivals of Misrule ensured controlled criticism of political authorities.
- In the 17thC Public pageants replaced Festivals of Misrule and instead were used to encourage feelings of national pride and identity.
65
how was popular culture associated with the elite not the same for everyone?
- Later in the period, the withdrawal of the Elites into more Private forms of Popular Culture: Private dining, Private musical occasions, Literature, Private Masques and festivals
meant that they were less likely to fund large scale festivals for
the lower classes, so its use as propaganda was reduced.
66
give examples of private forms of elite culture
private dining, musical occasions, literature, masques and festivals
67
what did 12th night involve
drinking, jokes and bad behaviour
68
what did epiphany eve involve
songs and blessings in exchange for food, blessing of crops
69
what important religious festival occurred in February? What did it include?
Candlemas - bringing candles and money to church
70
in what month was 12th night, epiphany eve and the celebration of Christ's baptism
January
71
in what month was Candlemas?
February
72
what religious festivals occurred in March?
Easter and Lent
73
Which religious festival occurred in April? What did this include?
Good Friday - day of mourning, crawling to the cross
74
in what month was Good Friday?
April
75
which festivals occurred in May/June/July?
Rogationtide and Pentecost
Midsummer and May Day
76
What did Rogationtide involve?
prayers said to ward off natural disasters, bring good weather and harvests
77
what did Pentecost involve?
money collected for local cathedral, public display of communion
78
in what months were rogationtide and pentecost?
may/june/july
79
Which religious festivals occured in August? What did they include
Feast of St Peter - commemorates miracles of Peter
Lammas Day - start of the main harvest
80
in what month was the Feast of St Peter and Lammas Day?
August
81
Which religious festival occurred in September? What did they include
Michaelmas - protection of people from evil, ceremonial end of harvest
82
in what month was Michaelmas?
September
83
Which religious festival occurred in October? What did they include
All Hallows Eve - Church bells rang for souls in purgatory
84
in what month was All Hallows Eve?
October
85
Which religious festivals occurred in November? What did they include
All Saints/souls - commemorate saints and the dead , masses held, gifts to godchildren in Austria and Germany
St Clements day - catten cakes made, children given apples pears and sweets
86
In which countries were gifts given to godchildren on all saints day?
Austria and Germany
87
during which religious festival were catten cakes made?
St Clements Day
88
Which religious festivals occurred in December? What did they include
Advent - time of fasting and penitence
Feast of St Nicholas - gifts to children and family events (not in England
89
in what month was all saints day and St Clements day?
November
90
what caused discrimination towards Jewish communities?
theological, economic, social and political fears in Christian Europe
91
Which 3 Christian beliefs could be seen as a source of fear or hatred of Jewish people?
- Jesus had to die for our sins
- In the Mass/Eucharist we take some form of Jesus' own body or essence into our own
- Christian are pare of the Universal Church of God's people
92
How did the belief that Jesus had to die for our sins cause antisemitism? What is the problem/resolution for this belief / what fears did this create / what beliefs developed from this?
Problem/resolution: Who killed him? The Gospels mention 'The Jews’.
Fear: People felt that the Jewish people should be marked out as separate from Christians because they were descendants of the people mentioned in the Gospels.
Beliefs developing from this: Jewish people were sinful/damned because they were descended from those who killed Jesus
93
How did the belief that we take some form of Jesus' own blood/essence into our own bodies in the Eucharist cause antisemitism? What is the problem/resolution for this belief / what fears did this create / what beliefs developed from this?
Problem/resolution: Such Holy things must be treated with reverence and care.
Fear: People worried whether the Jewish people would try to steal or damage this to hurt other Christians or try to replicate the Crucifixion.
Beliefs developing from this: host desecration, blood libel
94
How did the belief that Christians are part of the Universal Church of God's people cause antisemitism? What is the problem/resolution for this belief / what fears did this create / what beliefs developed from this?
Problem/resolution: We need to be kept safe as we are part of God’s Body on earth.
Fear: People worried whether the Jewish people would try to hurt other Christians or try to replicate the Crucifixion.
Beliefs developing from this: Blood Libel Well poisoning
95
give an example of an Anti-Semitic song? What was it about?
Little Sir Hugh - blood libel
96
Give examples of violence against Jews
1506 - over 2,000 marranos were killed in three days in Lisbon, Portugal
1511 - Most Apulian Jews are expelled or tortured to death
1535 - Local Jews in Tunis are sold into slavery
1557 - Seventy houses burnt in the ghetto of Prague
1563 - 300 Jewish people were thrown into ice holes of the Dvina river
1618 - Anti-Semitic pamphlet is published in Poland which then went on to inspire anti-Jewish riots across Poland
97
Give examples of the expulsion of Jews
1501 - French Jews in Provence were expelled
1510 - Less-wealthy Jews expelled from Naples
1510 - Spanish expel Jews from Calabria and Naples
1543 - Martin Luther produces a pamphlet advocating for Jews to be removed via conversion or by expulsion
1550 - All Jews expelled from Genoa
1569 - Jews expelled from Bologna
1591 Jews banished from Milan
98
Give an example of the Talmud being put on trial/attacked
1553 - Pope Julius III started a wave of Talmud burning throughout Italy
99
Give an example of host desecration allegations
1504 - Jews living in Pilsen were expelled on charges of host desecration
1509 - 38 Jews of Spandau, Brandenburg and Stendhal burned at the stake in Germany for desecrating the host
100
Give an example of ritual murder allegations
1505 - 10 Ceske Budejovice Jews were tortured and executed after being accused of killing a Christian girl
1546 - Martin Luther’s sermon contained accusations of ritual murder
1255 - Little Saint Hugh of Lincoln
101
Give an example of well poisoning
1546 - Martin Luther’s sermon contained accusations of well poisoning
102
Which group of people were the Jews grouped with? What was similar about them?
Witches - they were both believed to be threats to Christians
103
What day was particularly dangerous for Jewish people?
Good Friday
104
Why was Good Friday dangerous for Jewish people?
- Gospel of John's version of the death of Jesus is read and it repeatedly uses the phrase "the Jews" to describe those who conspired to kill Jesus so Jews were blamed
- A chant would be sung which accused Jewish people of faithlessness -> medieval people believed that Jews were the enemies of Christians who needed to convert or face divine punishment
- Faced physical violence - revenge for Jesus' death and an act which reinforced social boundaries
105
In what year and where did a Mardi Gras misrule lead to a large and sustained uprising that had to be forcibly and bloodily suppressed by the authorities?
1580, Cote du Rhone
106
Describe the 1580, Cote du Rhone festival of misrule?
the Mardi Gras misrule led to such a large and sustained uprising that it had to be forcibly and bloodily suppressed by the authorities.
107
What developed into an uprising against the French Royal tax officers? Where and when?
In Dijon in 1630, a masquerade by ‘Mere Folle and her Infanterie’ developed into an uprising against the French Royal tax officers. The crown had to act strongly to punish the Abbey responsible for the masquerade.
108
What happened in Dijon, 1630?
In Dijon in 1630, a masquerade by ‘Mere Folle and her Infanterie’ developed into an uprising against the French Royal tax officers. The crown had to act strongly to punish the Abbey responsible for the masquerade.
109
What did France use throughout the 16th and 17th centuries to repress the temerity and audacity of women?
Charivari
110
What activity occurred in England which was the same as France's 'Charivari'?
A 'Skimmingtons', which caused be used for either sex. In 1618, Agnes Mills was beaten and humiliated at such an event at Quemerford near Calne, Wiltshire.
111
Give an example of a skimmington
In 1618, Agnes Mills was beaten and humiliated at such an event at Quemerford near Calne, Wiltshire.
112
Where was there a parade to make fun of a tanner who was beaten by his wife? When?
Lyon, 1517
113
What happened in Lyon, 1517?
The Abbey of the Rue Merciere planned a parade of horses (except they used donkeys to add to the humour and mockery) in order to make fun of a tanner who was beaten by his wife. This was to teach other men to repress such tendencies in their own wives.
114
Where and when did Basoche celebrations accuse the monarchy of being ruled by 'mere sotte'?
Paris, 1516
115
What happened in Paris 1516?
the Basoche celebration accused the Monarchy of being ruled by 'Mere Sotte' (mother drunkenness) and of over taxing, pillaging and stealing from the people. The Crown allowed the festivities without punishment due to the absence of any worse bahviour.
116
Why were Jewish people in the Venetian Ghetto at risk during carnival?
Carnival related to preparations for Lent and Easter, and the Jewish people were traditionally known as 'Christ killers' in the early modern period. The association to Christ's crucifixion could lead to groups seeking to persecute and verbally abuse the Jewish community. This violence would be fuelled by alcohol and high spirits.
117
What were Jewish people traditionally known as?
Christ Killerss
118
Where and when did May Day celebrations turn to violent riots against foreigners?
London, 1517
119
What happened in London, 1517?
May Day celebrations turned into violent riots against foreigners.
120
Where and when did carnivals turn into anti-Catholic parades?
Germany, 1520s and 1530s
121
What happened to German carnivals in the 1520s and 1530s?
They would frequently turn into anti-Catholic parades to promote and strengthen the Lutheran movement.
122
Why were patriotic celebrations encouraged in 16th and 17th C England?
It was preferred over any celebrations that may lead to criticism of the authorities. For example, there would be a provision of alcohol to celebrate a royal marriage or birth, as well as the institution of Bonfire Night after Guy Fawkes failed attempt to launch a Catholic plot against James I.
123
Give an example of patriotic celebrations being encouraged?
there would be a provision of alcohol to celebrate a royal marriage or birth, as well as the institution of Bonfire Night after Guy Fawkes failed attempt to launch a Catholic plot against James I.
124
What did the Spanish Catholic Church increasingly use saints days to promote from the mid-16th century onwards?
Saints' Days were used to promote social values. They also increased the use of religious spectacles in form of 'autos-da-fe' to publicly counter heresy by burning heretics and their publications.
125
Which country used saints days to promote social values?
Spain
126
An example of a country that didn't maintain the use of festivals of Misrule across the entire period.
The city of Geneva outlawed festivals of misrule after the Calvinist Reformation of the 16th Century, replacing them with a strict moral code and serious punishments imposed by the religious authority of the Consistory.
127
How were people executed for serious crimes?
hanging, garrotting, beheading, burning and breaking on the wheel. Executions were elaborately orchestrated to extend the suffering of the victim. They were also seen as highly social occasions, such as at Tyburn Hill in London.
128
give an example of an execution being a highly social occasion?
Tyburn Hill, London
129
examples of public humiliation
The stocks or the pillory. In England, offenders may be wheeled around the parish, and scolds and prostitutes were often subjected to the ducking stool.
130
examples of public humiliation in England
In England, offenders may be wheeled around the parish, and scolds and prostitutes were often subjected to the ducking stool.
131
examples of corporal punishment
In Germany and rural France, people would be forced to process through the streets before being whipped, birched, or even publicly branded.
132
in which areas were people forced to process through the streets before being whipped?
Germany and rural France
133
What would happen to people seen as social misfits?
they were subjected to 'rough music'- locals gathering around their home and banging pots and pans together to humiliate them.
134
Examples of the elite trying to compete to put on the best festival?
The Lord Mayor's Parade in London
The Schembart Carnival in Nuremberg
135
What was Sebastian Brant's view on festivals?
He saw drinking, gaming and dancing at Church festivals the ruin of country people.
136
What was Erasmus' view of festivals?
there was a risk of losing moral values and Unchristian.
137
What was Natalie Zemon Davies' view of carnivals?
Carnivals were more than just a safety valve, they reinforced the existing order and allowed criticism.
