1. How did towns run and what did they accomplish?

2.  Towns served a purpose, but they were also small and smelly.  London (8 million today) had only 50,000 people in 1300.  Towns were the centres for farm communities.  Towns grew around a defensive structures (castle or monastery)  They were surrounded by walls of stone

3.  Towns had gates that were shut at night  As a town grew to a city larger rings of walls were built.  These walls were good for defense but it crowded the living conditions of the people.  Houses were several stories high, with floors overhanging the streets.  Streets were narrow and winding.

4.  There was no plumbing  Garbage was dumped in the streets.  Pigs were sent through town at night to eat up the waste. On a more positive note there was also:  Pageants and plays  Sports and entertainment

5.  In the feudal system the important feature was land, but with trade increase, money became the focus of power.  People became independent b/c they could make money.  Towns were the home of the medieval middle class (merchants and skilled tradespeople.)  Some merchants became wealthier than the lords on the manors.

6.  Nobility thought trade was beneath them but still wanted the finer things only found in towns.  The middle class, with its power, money and desire for freedom, would end feudalism.

7.  Towns drew people wanting out of the restrictive feudal system.  People had the freedom to do what they wanted, marry who they wanted, and make money as they wanted.  Runaway serfs could gain their freedom by staying in town for a year and a day without being discovered (according to law)

8.  Feudal lords or courts could not control people living in towns.  Medieval towns were chartered (by the monarch) which meant they governed themselves.  Wealthy citizens and the guilds controlled the town government.

9.  Members of guilds were the most powerful.  These guilds funded ships for trading and many other things by pooling their money.  The Hanseatic League (a guild) supported their own army and navy. The guild became so wealthy that by threatening to cut off all trade with a country could force that country’s ruler to do what they wanted.

10.  1: Compare the medieval fair with a shopping mall. Consider the days and hours of operation, goods sold, type of consumers. What does this tell you about the two societies.  2: Compare the life of a serf and a guild member. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each?  3: What factors lead to the growth of trade? How did this lead to the need for towns?

11.  4: Examine the map on page150. How did water impact trade routes? How did physical features of Europe affect trade routes?  5: Why is it that medieval towns always had walls? What did that say about society?  6: Explain guilds. Why were they needed? Why did they work? What did they do for their members?