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

Becoming Part of a Guild APPRENTICE 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 Services To 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