1.1: A Changing Society
Society - the community of people living in a particular country or region and having shared customs, laws, and organizations.
Middle ages - 5th - 15th century Europe
feudalism - hierarchy or ranking of people in order of importance
coffers - a large chest used for storing valuables.
What was life like during Midieval Times?
Where you were born, is where you stayed.
These people valued
church/religion
very large land owners
ranking in life
pledged allegiance to the crown
education valued non-peasant people (peasants were not educated)
Medieval Country Life
Peasants lived in a rural village on a manor.
Peasants jobs - men, women and children
farmers
logging
carpenter
sold goods in the market
blacksmith
mend clothing
washed clothing
etc.
Peasants were hardworking as they had to pay the king a portion of their coffers.
Serfs and Freemen
Slaves, also known as serfs, were to stay on the manor and work for the landowner. Freemen could leave the property and they would go to the manor when they worked.
Education
Peasants were mainly illiterate and did not get an education beyond what was done at home.
Town Life
Many people flocked to town because it offered freedom and opportunity. The town was protected by walls, built by the serfs. People could learn trades to earn an income, while others sold goods in stores or worked for wealthy people. Although the town was dirty and rat-infested, people stayed to enjoy their freedom and take advantage of the opportunities available here.
Skilled peasants could open up a shop to sell their goods, while unskilled workers learned trades. Many others worked for wealthy merchants as servants and labourers.
guild - a group of skilled labourers who were part of an association
Levels of skilled workers
apprentice - young person trained by a master
Journeymen - Take test to become a journeyman (successfully passed trades test)
Master- More training to become a master
Masters can open a shop and train apprentices
The Role of Women in Medieval Society
produce children at young ages
wives of master journeymen worked alongside their husbands
when husband died, they took possession of his property
cooking, cleaning, childcare, clothe maker, etc. - domestic jobs
only women who joined religious orders were taught how to read
Challenges to the Feudal System
The Peasants' Revolt
In 1337, the government raised taxes to cover the war funds. Peasants in both France and England revolted against the high taxes and rent increase. These revolts were brutally put down by both authorities. Peasants burned houses and killed nobles.
The Black Death
Millions of people died of the Black Death due to outbreaks. Because of the deaths, there was a labour shortage and many feudal estates went bankrupt. The feudal system fell apart because nobles had to rent their land to the serfs and the serfs were released from their duties. The people of power were no longer in control over the peasants.
Time and Money
Over time, the development of more accurate mechanical clocks became more urgent. People become more dependant on time to complete daily tasks and paying jobs.
Wealth in Society
Due to the rise in towns, skills and wealth, a new social structure emerged. The middle class was based on money instead of how much land they owned, more focused on purchasing goods in towns. These people spent more money on clothing, jewelry, and other luxuries. The more wealthy people wore extravagant clothing. This brought in the sumptuary laws. These laws dictated what people of different social statuses could wear.