Rural Life› Peasants

Worked 50 plus hours of labor Women & men worked the fields Rural poverty increased which lead to rapid

population growth Population 80 million by 1300

Three field system› rotational system for agriculture in which

two fields grow food crops & one lies fallow

Population continued to rise New settlements Poor soil for agriculture lead some

people to famine Life expectancy was 30-35 years of age

Outbreak of bubonic plaque that spread across Asia, North Africa, and Europe

Reversed population growth 2 years spread across Europe

Developed boils, black blotches, foul body odors, and severe pain

Death was within 2days of infection

Black death survivors demanded higher pay

In Jacquerie peasants looted castles and murdered dozens of people

Authorities put out rebellion with greater bloodshed

Peasants bought freedom or ran away

Mining, metal working, and use of mechanical energy expanded

Water wheels› Mechanism that harnessed the energy of

water to grind grain or to power machinery

› Windmills multiplied across• Growth of industry • Water power aid for iron making• High demand in iron making • metal coins• church bells • cannon• statues