Changes in Medieval Society Boost in food supply =

POPULATION INCREASE! Three-field system Horsepower (harness)

Guilds Group of specialized

workers who try to improve their economic and social conditions

Medieval Guilds Two most important

kinds of guilds: Merchant (1st) Craft

Craft guilds included:- Clothmakers- Bakers- Shoemakers- Glassmakers- Tailors- Wheelwrights- Other craftspeople- Both men and women

Becoming Part of a GuildAPPRENTICE Parents paid for

training Lived w/master 2-7 years of training Could not marry until

done w/training

JOURNEYMAN (Day worker)

Worked for master earned salary

Worked 6 days/week Needed to produce

masterpiece Had to be accepted by

guild

Becoming Part of a Guild

MASTER Owned own shop Worked w/other masters

to protect their trade Sometimes served in

civil gov’t

Guild ServicesTo members: Set working conditions Covered members

w/type of health insurance

Provided funeral expenses

Provided dowries for poor girls

To community: Built almshouses for

victims of misfortune Guaranteed quality

work Took turns policing the

streets Donated windows to

the Church

Guilds & Surnames A persons last name, or surname, may be traced

to a medieval occupation Smith = one who “smites” or works metal Silversmith = person who works silver

(If German, this may become “Schmidt”) Carpenter = woodworker (Charpentier,

Zimmerman) Boulanger = baker (German = Becker) Miller = one who ground grain

Commercial Revolution Trade & business expanded

Trade occurred at fairs

Need for banking Letters of credit for

merchants

Towns grew Rising class of

burghers who resented upper class Serfs could earn freedom (one year + one day in town)

Cultural Diffusion – Muslim Interaction Technologies (warfare, navigation, math) Universities for learning

Vernacular

Religion meets Philosophy Thomas Aquinas Scholastics Greek philosophy & logical thought is

merged with religious faith Explain spirituality through logical argument