The Urban Game - Background Information

These flashcards cover the historical and social context of rural village life in England around 1700, focusing on demographics, family, economy, and societal norms.

What year does the information pertain to regarding the village life in England?

1700

What significant revolution is mentioned that changed village life in England?

A revolution as significant as the Neolithic Revolution.

What was the population of London in 1750?

About 750,000.

What percentage of Englishmen were rural and lived in small villages?

Three out of every four.

What was the typical population range of villages in England at that time?

About 200 to 400 people.

What was the tallest structure in the village?

The church.

What was the religion of England during this period?

Anglican (Church of England).

How was home life integrated with work life in English villages?

Most work was done in nearby fields, in the home, or in an adjoining workshop.

What economic unit was the family considered to be?

An economic unit as well as a social unit.

What was the average life expectancy in England at that time?

Slightly over 40 years.

At what age did most people marry?

In their teens.

What was common for women during childbirth?

Women often died in childbirth.

How long did the average marriage last?

About 15 years.

What percentage of children died before their first birthday?

One out of three children.

What was the social class system like in England?

There was a distinct social class system but not rigidly divided.

What was the main occupation of people in England?

Farming.

How did land affect the economy in England?

Land was the source of livelihood and well-being.

What was the common practice regarding marriages and inheritance?

They were geared to maintaining family property intact.

What is the term for the practice where all land is given to the eldest son?

Primogeniture.

What was required for a man to support a family before marrying?

He usually had to own land.

If a woman did not bring land into a marriage, what was required?

She needed to have a dowry.

What did daughters inherit from their parents regarding property?

They had to pass it on to their husbands.

What was the public land area in every village used for?

Pasturing, hunting, gathering firewood, and growing crops.

What did poor farmers rely on to make a living?

The commons.

How were transportation and trade described in English villages?

Transportation was often slow, and trade beyond the village was not easy.

What type of roads connected the villages?

Dirt roads.

What was the distance most English farmers traveled from their birthplace?

No further than 25 miles.

What items did people in villages produce for themselves?

Food, clothes, furniture, tools, and homes.

What were the two main sources of fuel in English villages?

Firewood and coal.

What natural resource was commonly mined in English villages?

Coal.

What employed a small number of village dwellers during winter?

Coal mining operations.

How was coal extracted in the villages?

From pits that were privately owned.

What was the arrangement of marriages in relation to economic status?

Marriages were often arranged by parents to maintain or better economic status.

Who typically lived in small villages in England?

Most Englishmen who were mainly poor farmers.

What was the role of sons in the family?

They worked with their father farming and tending livestock.

What kind of chores did daughters perform?

Cooking, cleaning, sewing, and doing other domestic chores.

What societal changes occurred that led to quick marriages?

Most people married young due to economic pressures and constraints.

What were villagers' living conditions described as?

Small homes with earthen floors and inadequate light and ventilation.

Where did village families sleep?

All members of the family often slept in the same room.

What societal pressures influenced marriage arrangements?

Traditions concerning land ownership and economic stability.

Why did men sometimes wait to marry until their 30s?

They waited to inherit land from their parents.

What did coal mining provide during the winter?

Employment for a small number of village dwellers.

What were wandering peddlers known for?

Offering items that could not be produced locally.