A Peasant’s View of Medieval Life

Textbook, pp.186-90, 197-201(and optionally, pp.191-96)In response to p.202 #21

The Countryside

Feudalism Define the term What is the peasant’s place or rank

in a feudal society? Technological advances in

agriculture and their impact on the medieval period

Who are the people in your neighborhood? In your neighborhood… In your neighborhood.

Lord, vassal, knight (noble), peasant, troubadour, serf

Define each in relation to the peasant

Haves vs. have-nots? Perspectives on power, influence,

and control

Positives vs. negatives of peasant life in the countryside

Here’s YOUR chance to analyze your view of what’s important to you

How do you pretend, if you will, to be someone from that time and place?

The town

“As a child on the farm, I was warned of the wiles of the city…”

With apologies to Harry Belafonte and Jimmy Buffett

Commerce is the operative means of describing what brought about towns

Filth, overcrowding, noise, walls of protection

Guilds

Merchant Craft Define, compare and contrast,

explain conflicts and mutual interests

How would the peasant have viewed the guilds?

The trades

Master Journeyman Apprentice Did the peasant have the

opportunity to learn a trade?

Terms associated with commerce in the towns

Bill of exchange Partnership Middle class Usury Role of women

Give your own personal selection

Summarize likes vs. dislikes when deciding between countryside and town

List each factor in decision-making process succinctly and without further adieu

Close with choice of countryside or town “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood…

a wonderful day... Would you be mine”?