SECTION 14.2

Changes in Medieval Society

A Growing Food Supply

Changes in AgricultureWhat was one of the

changes from 800 to 1200? The climate warms. What

was the result? More land became open to

farming

What was the result of the changes in technology? More food production http://www.gribbitonline.com/images/Historic%20Climate%20Change%20Trends.JPG

Using Horsepower

Horses replaced oxen Their harnesses were

changed from around the neck to around the body

Originally almost choked the horse

Why did the harnessed horse increase food supply? Horses plow three times as

much a day as oxen Oxen were cheaper to have,

but a lot slower

Three Field System

What is The Three-Field System? Plant two fields, let one rest Could grow crops on 2/3 of field, not just 1/2

Results of Three Field System

This produces more food and leads to population increase

Better sources of protein Vegetable and bean protein Healthier people Resist more disease

Larger families Live longer

Trade and Finances Expand

The Guilds

What were the Guilds? Organization of people in the same occupation Similar to a union of today

http://www.traditioninaction.org/OrganicSociety/Images_1-100/A_023_Blacksmith.jpg http://www.flickr.com/photos/scalleja/387203550/

The Guilds

What they did: controlled prices and wages in their craft.

Merchant guilds begin first; What do they do? Keep prices up Provide security

Skilled artisans, men and women, form craft guilds

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24675232@N03/2422994335/

The Guilds

Guilds set standards for: Quality Prices Wages Working conditions Ex. Bread

Guilds supervise training of new members of their craft

What did the wealth of guilds influences? Government and economy

Fairs and TradeMost trade happened in

townsPeasants in manors would

travel to towns on fair days to trade Cloth was most common trade

item Other items: bacon, honey,

cheese, wine, leather No longer were manors self-

sufficient

Trade fairs are held several times a year in towns

Commercial Revolution

Where were the trade routes open to? Asia, North Africa, and Byzantine ports

Business and Banking

What did Merchants do to avoid carrying large sums of money? Develop credit

Merchants take out loans to purchase goods, and banking grows

Could only take out money from Jews because according to Christianity, lending money with interest was a sin called “usury”

Not considered a sin in today’s church

Society Changes

What was the result of these Economic changes? The growth of cities and of paying jobs

www.cartoonstock.com/directory/C/CITIES.asp

www.cartoonstock.com/directory/s/sieges.asp

Growing Urban Population

Growing Urban Population

From 1000–1150, Europe’s population rises from 30 million to 42 million

Most towns are small, but they help drive change Paris- 60,000 Town- 1,500-2,500 Not very big

Trade and Towns grow together

Many people leaving manors to live in towns/cities

Why were towns uncomfortable? Crowded Dirty- no baths, sewage,

clean water Full of fire hazards- houses

made of wood

Many serfs ran away from their manors

Towns and Social Order

Serf could be free after living in a town one year plus one day

How did people feel about of Feudal lords taxing and governing towns? Resentment

What was the result? Towns are taken over by burghers—town merchants

Methods of Punishment

Keeping Order in the Middle Ages

Keeping order for the more harden criminal

The Head Crusher

the top screw of this awful device was slowly turned, compressing the skull tightly.

First the teeth are destroyed, shattering and splintering into the jaw.

Then the eyes are squeezed from the sockets

Lastly, the skull fractures and the contents of the head are forced out.

Cat’s Paw

The Cat’s Paw (or Spanish Tickler) was oftentimes attached to a handle

in size and appearance it was an extension of the torturer’s hand

In this way it was used to rip and tear flesh away from the bone, from any part of the body.

Knee Splitter

Built from two spiked wood blocks, the knee splitter is placed on top of and behind the knee of its victims.

Two large screws connecting the blocks are then turned, causing the two blocks to close towards each other and effectively destroy a victim’s knee.

This device could also be used to inflict damage on other parts of the body such as the arms.

Spanish Donkey

The Spanish Donkey was a device which consisted of a main board cut with a wedge at the top fastened to two cross-beams.

The naked victim was placed astride the main board as if riding a donkey, and various numbers of weights were attached to his or her feet.

The agony could be ‘fine-tuned’ by using lighter or heavier weights.

Sources relate that on occasion, the wedge would slice entirely through the victim as a result of the immense weight attached to his or her feet

Lead Sprinkler

The lead sprinkler was essentially a ladle on the end of a handle.

The top half of the sphere could be removed and the lower half was filled with molten metal, boiling oil, boiling water, pitch or tar.

The perforated top half was then re-attached. Shaking or flicking the sprinkler towards the victim showered him or her with the boiling contents of the ladle.