Three-Field System

Before After

Fallow means left unfarmed

The Three-Field System

• Could farmers yield more crops using half of their land or two-thirds of their land?

Craft Guilds• Masons• Carpenters• Painters• Cloth Makers• Tanners• Blacksmith• Butcher• Plaster maker• Saddle/Harness

maker

• Bakers• Shoemakers, or

cobblers• Apothecaries• Candle makers• Cheese maker• Rope maker• Gold/Silversmith• Potter

The Church forbade Christians from lending money at interest.

Jews, who were not allowed to make a living in many occupations, became moneylenders since their own religion did not forbid it and it was a way for them to make income. Usury – lending money and

charging interest.

Anti-Semitism – prejudice and / or hatred toward people who are Jewish.

Because the Jews became the wealthy financiers / bankers in Europe, they were often resented by the poorer Christian population.

This matter contributed to rising Anti-Semitism (persecutions of Jews) in Europe.

PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

Growth of the Middle Class

England – Burgesses

France - Bourgeoisie

H.R.E. (Germany) - Burghers

Aristocracy / Nobility – have their Lands. Up to now – since Greece and the Roman Senate - that has been the requirement for serving in government / political office. Landowning nobles have held all political power.

The new Middle Class -(merchants) now have Money!…something the Aristocracy doesn’t have unless they sell their lands. This new middle class wants Political strength that will match their economic strength.

PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

•The Muslim Connection-

Christian scholars began visiting the Muslim libraries of SpainLearned new things about math, science, philosophy, and lawCrusaders brought back superior Muslim technology oShips, navigation and weapons

Scholars and Universities-

–University- Higher institutions of learning

–Most students were wealthy–Wanted a government or church job–Bachelors in theology – 5 to 7 years–Masters in theology- 12 years–Vernacular- Lively everyday language of one’s homeland•This brought literature to the people

Aquinas and Medieval Philosophy-

–Thomas Aquinas argued that religious truths could be proved by logic

–Wrote the Summa Theologicae•Combined ancient Greek thought with modern Christian thought

–Scholastics- Wise school men–As a result of his work people began developing democratic institutions and traditions