The living conditions in medieval Britain, 1250-1500 Flashcards
What was the main occupation of most people in medieval Britain?
-most people were peasants who worked on the land
What was a major risk for peasants if there was a bad harvest?
-starvation for themselves and their families
What were medieval towns like?
-small but busy , filled with craftsmen and traders. Market days were especially hectic.
What were the most advanced forms of technology in medieval Britain?
-water mills and windmills were the most powerful machinery.
when was the printing press invented ?
-1470s
Why did medieval government do little for ordinary people?
-The government mainly focused on tax collection to fund the king’s court and wars, not public warfare.
What role did religion play in medieval society?
-almost everyone was Christian and part of the Roman Catholic Church. Every parish had a church, and there were many monasteries and cathedrals.
Where did most peasants live in the country side?
-In small huts made of woven sticks and mud.
What was a major fire hazard in medieval houses?
-open fires and thatched roofs made homes highly flammable
Why did some peasants keep animals inside their homes?
-for warmth, especially in winter.
What were windows made of in medieval homes?
-wooden shutters not glass.
How were houses different in towns compared to the countryside?
-Town houses were built close together and only wealthy people had gardens.Many workshops were part of houses.
Who were responsible for cleaning the streets in medieval towns?
-The people - but many did not bother, leading to poor sanitation.
How did towns get water?
-through conduits (lead pipes carrying spring water) or from water sellers using leather sacks.
What were ‘public latrines’ used for?
-They were public toilets in market squares.
What were ‘gongfermors’ ?
-workers who cleared cesspits and dumped the waste outside towns or in fields?
Where did villages get their water?
-From springs and wells but these were sometimes shared with animals and became contaminated.
How was waste dealt with in the countryside?
-Waste was dumped in a midden (waste heap), some villages had cesspits, and waste was often used as fertilizer.
What was the most important food in medieval Britain?
-Bread which was staple for both the rich and poor.
Why was rye bread dangerous for poor people?
-it could contain a fungus that caused illness and death.
How did wealth affect a person’s diet?
-Richer people ate more meat, fish, cheese, eggs, nuts and fruit.
Why was fish eaten instead of meat on Fridays?
-The church banned eating meat on Fridays.
Why was ale and cider safer to drink than water?
-They were made by boiling water, which killed germs, unlike the often-contaminated water supply.
