Medieval Europe: Kingdoms, Society & Economy

Norman Dynasties and Feudal Peace

What could people establish in several kingdoms? Norman dynasties (Vikings). Was there any agreement between lords to maintain peace? Yes, there was an agreement to maintain peace on the roads and limit the effects of wars between feudal lords.

Main Changes in Productivity

• New cultivation methods: such as triennial rotation.
• New farming tools: such as the mouldboard plough and the use of horses.
• The use of windmills and watermills, which made grinding grain easier.

Population Growth and Land

What was the reason for population growth? The increase in agricultural production meant an improvement in diet and health. How did they get land? Peasants resettled old abandoned land and cleared new land for farming.

Expansion in Medieval Cities

At first, castles became a center of trade, and new neighborhoods began to appear.

Consequences of Trade

The opening of trade with the eastern Mediterranean increased the number of products that came to the West and revitalized trade in cities.

Urban Society and Governance

Define Bourgeoisie

It is a new social group whose wealth came from the sale of their products and profits generated by their businesses.

Other Citizens

Who were the rest of the citizens? Nobility, clergy, and ordinary people such as artisans and servants.

Urban Patricians

Who were the urban patricians? The richest families of merchants and bankers; they were chosen to govern cities.

Jewish Communities

How did the Jews live? They lived in separate neighborhoods called Jewish quarters or Juderias.

Guilds and Fairs

Guild

It was an association of artisans to protect themselves from the competition from artisans of other cities. The guild obliged them to meet certain standards, like the control of the quality and price of goods.

Fair

It was a large market held periodically in which large quantities of products were bought and sold.

Royal Authority and the Cortes

The King's Authority

Kings took advantage of the economic boom and the rise of the bourgeoisie to impose their authority on the feudal nobility and guarantee safety.

Bourgeoisie Support for Monarchs

Why did the bourgeoisie support monarchs? Because they obtained royal privileges.

The Cortes

The Cortes included the bourgeoisie, nobility, and clergy.

Reasons for the Crisis of the 14th Century

• Agriculture: Some lands were very poor, and famine spread across the continent.
• Black Death: Caused millions of deaths throughout Europe.
• Wars: Conflicts between European monarchies.