Europe in the Middle Ages

1. Europe in the Middle Ages World History I

2. Changes in Agriculture • 1000-1300: Europe’s population went from 38 million to 78 million people. • 2 main reasons for this: • 1. peace and stability after invasions stopped • 2. food production increased • How/why did food production increase? • A change in climate improved growing conditions. • Changes in technology aided the development of farming. • The shift from a two-field to a three-field system of crop rotation.

3. The Manorial System • The Manorial System is a part of feudalism, where lords give pieces of land to serfs in exchange for food. • Manor- an agricultural estate run by a lord and worked by peasants. • Serfs- peasants legally bound to the land.

5. The Manorial System (Cont.) • To give the nobles a chance to focus on warfare, the peasants provided the economic support that made this way of life possible. • The land assigned to serfs usually could not be taken away. • However, the peasants were required to pay lords for certain services (use of the lord’s mill). • It was the lord’s duty to protect his serfs, giving them the safety needed to grow crops.

6. The Revival of Trade • By the end of the 10th century, people were emerging with both the skills and the products for trade. • Cities in Italy were trading with the Mediterranean World • The towns of Flanders were busy trading in Northern Europe • The area around the coast of present-day Belgium and Northern France • Known for high-quality woolen cloth • With the increase in trade came a money economy • Money economy- economic system based on money, rather than barter • Commercial capitalism- economic system in which people invested in trade and goods in order to make profits

9. The Growth of Cities • What led to the growth of Medieval towns? • 1. food production increased population grew • 2. increase in tradecities appeared along trade routes • Chance to make money trading in towns so people left their farms. • Merchants and craftspeople settled in old Roman cities. • Also founded new cities in Northern Europe. • This growth of trade/cities is thought to be another contributing factor to the decline of feudalism. • Knights demanded money for their services and serfs began to leave their manors for towns.

10. Daily Life in a Medieval City • Medieval cities were surrounded by stone walls which were expensive and difficult to make • This made the space inside precious and tightly filled. • Buildings were crowded against one another. • The danger of fire was great. • The physical environment was not pleasant. • Cities were dirty and smelled from human and animal waste. • Air and water pollution was rampant. • Public baths were also used. • Women were expected to supervise the household, prepare meals, raise the children, and manage the family’s finances.

12. City Government • By 1100, townspeople were getting numerous rights from local lords. • Right to buy and sell property, freedom from military services, a written law guaranteeing freedom for townspeople, and the right for a serf to become a free person. • Over time, medieval cities developed their own governments. • Only males who had been born in the city or lived there a long time would be considered citizens. • These citizens elected members of a city council (judges, lawmakers, etc.) • Elections were rigged to make sure wealthy and powerful families were elected.

13. Industry and Guilds • The revival of trade made cities centers of manufacturing. • Craftspeople began to organize themselves into guilds, or business associations. • Guilds directed almost every aspect of an industry. • They set standards of quality, specified methods of production, and set prices. • They also determined who can enter a specific trade and the procedure for doing so.