Revision- Life in Medieval England Flashcards
What were the main features of a medieval village?
- A medieval village typically had small houses, usually made of wood or wattle and daub, with thatched roofs.
- It was built around a church
- had farmland for growing crops and grazing animals.
- Villagers worked together, with peasants farming the land and providing food for the community.
What were the key features of a medieval town?
- Medieval towns were more crowded than villages, with stone or timber houses lining narrow streets.
- Towns often had markets, workshops, and trading areas.
- Townspeople worked in trades like blacksmithing, weaving, and baking. They also had guilds, which were associations of workers in the same trade.
How did agriculture work in medieval England?
Medieval agriculture was mainly based on the open field system. Land was divided into strips, and farmers worked together to grow crops like wheat, barley, and oats. The fields were often rotated to prevent the soil from becoming exhausted. Animals, like cows and sheep, were raised for food, wool, and other resources.
Why was the wool trade important to medieval England?
The wool trade was one of the most important sources of income for England. English wool was highly valued in Europe, especially in Flanders (modern-day Belgium) and Italy. The wool industry created jobs for shepherds, weavers, and merchants and was a key part of the economy.
How did Edward I raise money from royal finance and taxation?
Edward I raised money through various forms of taxation, including taxes on land, goods, and the wool trade. He often used Parliament to approve taxes and sometimes raised extra money by borrowing from merchants or taxing the clergy.
What was the Wool Tax?
The Wool Tax was a tax placed on wool exports, which Edward I used to raise money. The tax was unpopular, especially with wool merchants and landowners, as it made English wool more expensive to sell abroad, affecting the economy.
How did Italian bankers influence medieval England?
Italian bankers, like the Bardi and Peruzzi families, lent large sums of money to the English crown. Edward I borrowed money from them to finance his wars, particularly his campaigns in Wales and Scotland. However, these loans led to tensions when the king was unable to repay the debts.
What was recoinage, and why did Edward I do it?
Recoinage was the process of issuing new coins to replace old ones. Edward I ordered a recoinage in the 1270s because the currency in circulation had become worn out, making it less valuable. The new coins were designed to improve the money supply and stabilize the economy.
What was the Statute of Merchants (1285)?
The Statute of Merchants was a law that protected traders (merchants) who had debts. It gave merchants a legal process for getting their money back by allowing them to register their debts in a special court. It also made it easier for merchants to seek justice if they were owed money.
Why were the Jews expelled from England in 1290?
In 1290, Edward I expelled all the Jews from England because many people disliked them, partly because some Jews lent money and charged interest, which made them unpopular. The king also wanted to take their wealth, as the Jews had money saved up in the country. The expulsion was part of growing hostility towards Jews in medieval England.
What was the role of the medieval church in education and learning?
The medieval church played a key role in education and learning. Monasteries and cathedral schools taught Latin, theology, and basic education. The church was the main institution for preserving knowledge, including books, religious texts, and scientific works.
What were medieval universities, and how did they function?
Medieval universities were institutions of higher learning where students studied subjects like law, medicine, and philosophy. They were often run by the church, and students had to pass exams to graduate. The University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge are two examples of medieval English universities.
Who was Roger Bacon, and what was his contribution to medieval learning?
Roger Bacon was a scholar and a friar in the Middle Ages. He is famous for studying science and philosophy. Bacon believed that to learn, people should experiment and observe things for themselves, instead of only reading old books. His ideas helped start the way we do science today.
Who was Duns Scotus, and why was he important?
Duns Scotus was a medieval philosopher and theologian. He is best known for his work on theology, especially his ideas about free will and the nature of God. He was influential in the development of scholastic philosophy during the Middle Ages.
What was the legal system like in medieval England?
he medieval legal system in England was based on common law, which was developed through decisions made by judges. There were royal courts where people could bring cases, and the king’s judges would decide based on past rulings. The system also included trial by jury and oaths of innocence.
How did medieval law courts work?
Medieval law courts dealt with various cases, including disputes over land, theft, and violence. Judges would listen to both sides and make decisions based on the law. In serious cases, such as murder, the accused could face trial by ordeal or combat, although this was less common by Edward I’s reign.
What types of crimes were common in medieval England?
Common crimes in medieval England included theft, murder, assault, and crimes related to land disputes. There were also laws against things like poaching (hunting on land without permission) and adultery. Crimes often had harsh punishments, especially for serious offenses.
What were the punishments for criminals in medieval England?
Punishments for criminals could be severe. Minor crimes might lead to fines, while serious crimes like theft or murder could lead to execution, imprisonment, or mutilation (such as cutting off a hand). Lesser offenses might result in public humiliation, such as being put in the stocks.
What was the Statute of Gloucester (1278)?
The Statute of Gloucester was a law passed by Edward I that aimed to improve the legal system. It clarified the rights of landowners, made it easier to enforce debts, and allowed the king’s courts to hear more cases, making the legal system more effective.
What did the Statute of Winchester (1285) say, and why was it important?
The Statute of Winchester was a law that set out rules for law enforcement in towns and villages. It required local communities to form watch groups to patrol at night and help keep the peace. It also emphasized the importance of having proper weapons for defense and took steps to reduce crime.
