Week 4: Notes and Slides (23-25)

Question 1

Define: Manor Economy

Answer 1

A manor economy was a self-sufficient system where the manor produced most of its own food and goods, reducing reliance on external trade.

Question 2

Why was the heavy plough important in medieval agriculture?

Answer 2

The heavy plough allowed farmers to turn over heavy, clay-rich soils more efficiently, increasing agricultural productivity.

Question 3

Which of the following was a crop introduced to medieval Europe through Arab contact?

A) Potatoes
B) Cotton
C) Maize
D) Wheat

Answer 3

B

Question 4

True or False
Statement: The horse collar allowed horses to work without being choked, making them more efficient for plowing.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

Explain the significance of strip fields in medieval agricultural practices.

Answer 5

Strip fields were a system where land was divided into narrow strips that each farmer worked on; this allowed communities to share land and resources efficiently, particularly for oxen plowing.

Question 6

Match the Agricultural Developments to their Benefits

DEVELOPMENTS
Heavy Plough →
Horse Collar →
Mixed Agriculture →
Land Tenure →

BENEFITS
Reduced neck strain, allowing full strength of the horse to be used

Enabled farming of tough, clay-rich soils

Established clear ownership and control over land use

Diversified crops and reduced risk of food shortage

Answer 6

Heavy Plough → Enabled farming of tough, clay-rich soils

Horse Collar → Reduced neck strain, allowing full strength of the horse to be used

Mixed Agriculture → Diversified crops and reduced risk of food shortage

Land Tenure → Established clear ownership and control over land use

Question 7

Define: Medieval Warm Period

Answer 7

The Medieval Warm Period (ca. 900-1280) was a time of relatively warm climate in Europe, which allowed for the expansion of farmland and the introduction of new crops.

Question 8

True or False
Statement: Medieval farmers understood the science behind crop rotation.

Answer 8

False (They practiced crop rotation without fully understanding the underlying science; it was based on observation and tradition.)

Question 9

Why was economic self-sufficiency critical for manors in medieval Europe?

Answer 9

Economic self-sufficiency allowed manors to operate independently of external trade, reducing vulnerability to external disruptions and ensuring survival through local production.

Question 10

Yes or No

Did strip fields only exist in medieval Europe?

Answer 10

Answer: No

Reason: Strip fields were common in medieval Europe but similar agricultural land division systems existed in other parts of the world as well. The practice of dividing land into strips for efficient farming and communal use wasn’t unique to Europe.