Medieval Society and Economy

Study Notes

The Medieval period saw significant changes in agriculture, including the introduction of the heavy plow, which allowed for deeper plowing and cultivation of heavier soils.
The three-field system was introduced, where one field was planted with crops, one was left fallow, and one was used for grazing livestock, increasing crop yields and reducing soil exhaustion.
The use of horse collars and horse shoes improved the efficiency of horse-powered plowing.

Guilds were organizations of skilled craftsmen that regulated the practice of their craft, set standards, and protected the interests of their members.
Guilds also provided training, social services, and welfare to their members.

Masters: experienced craftsmen who owned their own businesses and trained apprentices.
Journeymen: skilled workers who had completed their apprenticeships and worked for masters.
Apprentices: young people learning a trade by working under the guidance of a master.

The Hundred Years' War was a series of conflicts between France and England that lasted from 1337 to 1453, with multiple battles and periods of relative peace.

The Commercial Revolution was a period of significant economic change in Europe, marked by the growth of trade, commerce, and banking, particularly in the 12th to 15th centuries.

Merchants began to organize fairs, which were temporary markets that brought together buyers and sellers from different regions, promoting trade and economic growth.

The letter of credit was a financial instrument that allowed merchants to obtain credit and financing for their trade activities, reducing the risk of long-distance trade.

The Hundred Years' War was sparked by a succession crisis in the kingdom of France, while the Black Death, a pandemic that devastated Europe, was caused by the bubonic plague.

The Black Death had a profound impact on European society, leading to significant social, economic, and cultural changes, including a shift from a feudal to a more modern economy.

In Christianity, usury, or lending money at interest, was considered a sin, as it was seen as exploiting the poor and contradicting Christian teachings on charity and generosity.

A letter of credit is a financial instrument used to guarantee payment between a buyer and a seller in international trade.
It was created to reduce the risk of non-payment and facilitate trade by providing a secure form of payment.

The Hundred Years' War was a series of conflicts between England and France that lasted from 1337 to 1453.
Causes of the war include:
Succession crisis in the Kingdom of France
English claims to the French throne
Economic interests, such as control of the wool trade
Political and territorial disputes
The Black Death, also known as the Plague, was a pandemic that ravaged Europe from 1347 to 1351, killing an estimated 75 to 200 million people.

The Black Death had a significant impact on European society, economy, and culture, leading to:
Changes in the feudal system and social hierarchy
Labor shortages and increased social mobility
Economic instability and inflation
Shifts in cultural and artistic expression
Increased anti-Semitic violence and persecution

Usury, or the practice of lending money at excessive interest rates, was considered a sinful activity in Christianity.
The concept of usury was based on biblical teachings, such as the prohibition on charging interest to fellow Israelites in the Old Testament.
The Catholic Church prohibited usury in the Middle Ages, andViolation of this prohibition was considered a moral and ethical offense.