Popular culture in early europe

Question 1

It can be argued that the witch craze stemmed from pressure from ‘below’ aka the people, thus it’s important to consider the popular culture of those people

Answer 1

There were various cultures:

geographical cultures

elite cultures

urban cultures

Question 2

At the start of the 16th century it can be argued that many europeans, rich and poor alike, did share some cultural practices and attitudes. what did these include?

Answer 2

• rituals and practices of the church
• involvement in festivals and carnivals
• belied in public humiliation of public outcasts and law breakers
• and the belief in the power of magic and witches
• these shared beliefs may have made it easier for elite to influence poor etc