Study Guide for Quiz on Chapters 4 and 5

Questions That Go Along with Chapter 4:The Growth of Medieval Towns, Guilds, Trade and Commerce

  1. While in the beginning of the Middle Ages most people lived in the countryside but by the 12th century towns emerged. How did improvements in agriculture help towns grow? In addition, to farming methods what was another reason for the growth of towns? Surplus crops (extra amount) was grown to sell to people who lived in towns.
  2. As towns became wealthier how did people feel about feudal lords? Dislike paying taxes to feudal lords and want more freedom.
  3. What were the two type of guilds in the Middle Ages? How did guilds protect and provide for their members? 1. Merchant Guilds 2. Craft Guilds (can be compared to today’s labor unions)
  4. During the Middle Ages, at about what age did people usually start preparing for their adult roles? 7
  5. Why was disease so widespread during the Middle Ages? ? Unsanitary conditions, crowded spaces, bacteria into fleas that goes to rats
  6. Who did feudal lords eventually lose power to? merchants
  7. How did common law develop? When kings started to get too much power. It grows out of decisions by judges.

Questions That Go Along with Chapter 5 Decline of Feudalism

  1. What is the Magna Carta? What did it contribute to ideas about? What is it known as? Why is it significant? Document responsible for limiting the kings power and not depriving the nobility of their rights. “The Great Charter”. Both the government and governerned must obey the law. This is the basis for our Consitution.
  1. What did the bubonic plaque and the Hundred Years’ War contribute to?

Contributed to the decline of the feudal system.

  1. What important legal reform did Henry II enact?

He insisted that people accused of crimes had to be formally charged and stand trial of court.

  1. What does the principle of habeas corpus mean

That an accused person cannot be jailed indefinitely without being charged with a crime.

  1. What did the Model Parliament do?

It established the principle that the common people should have a voice in government.

  1. The bubonic plaque was a disease that is also known as what? Black death
  2. How is the bubonic plaque spread? How many people died? Bacteria that is transmitted to fleas, to fleas to rodents then bit humans. Roughly about one-third of the population
  1. What was the Hundred Year’s War? Who was the conflict between (which countries)?

A conflict between England and France

  1. What is one reason the English were victorious in many of the early battles of the Hundred Years’ war?

They had archers armed with longbows