The Later Middle Ages: Society, Revolts, and Culture (1300-1450)

What were confraternities during the later Middle Ages?

Groups formed by laypeople and clerics for religious devotion, often engaging in special devotional practices without a priest's leadership.

Who was Bridget of Sweden and what was her significance?

A noblewoman who experienced visions and provided advice based on them, influencing both laypeople and church officials.

What did Bridget of Sweden see during her pilgrimage to Jerusalem?

Visions of the Virgin Mary, including details about the birth of Jesus.

What was the focus of the Brethren and Sisters of the Common Life?

To live a simple life while following Gospel teachings, such as feeding the hungry and visiting the sick.

What is 'The Imitation of Christ' and who wrote it?

A classic work by Thomas à Kempis that urges Christians to model their lives after Christ and seek spiritual guidance from the Scriptures.

How did the movement of lay piety affect people's perceptions of spiritual power?

It altered many people's views, empowering them to see their own spiritual authority.

What social factors contributed to unrest during the late Middle Ages?

Famine, plague, war, and economic exploitation led to widespread peasant and urban uprisings.

What was the significance of the Peasants' Revolt in England in 1381?

It was a major uprising that reflected the social unrest and dissatisfaction with government policies.

What were the consequences of the Black Death on European society?

It caused significant labor shortages, leading to ruined fields and increased social unrest.

What role did taxes play in the social unrest of the late Middle Ages?

Increased taxes led to growing criticism of government policies and mismanagement, particularly in England.

What was the Jacquerie uprising of 1358?

A peasant revolt in France that was part of the broader pattern of social unrest during the late Middle Ages.

How did the crises of the late Middle Ages affect the formation of confraternities?

Crises like famine and plague led to an expansion of confraternities in cities and villages as people sought community and spiritual support.

What was the general trend of peasant and urban uprisings in the later Middle Ages?

They were common and served as a check against exploitation, similar to factory strikes in the industrial era.

What was the impact of the Hundred Years' War on social unrest?

It contributed to economic hardship and social discontent, exacerbating existing tensions.

What was the relationship between lay piety and the authority of the papacy?

Lay piety movements were often viewed as heretical unless they acknowledged papal authority.

What was the significance of the Brethren and Sisters of the Common Life in the context of lay spirituality?

They represented a movement towards personal inner experience in spirituality, emphasizing simplicity and direct engagement with faith.

How did the societal conditions in the Low Countries contribute to unrest?

Fields lay in ruin due to labor shortages, leading to dissatisfaction and uprisings.

What was the effect of the Black Death on labor in England?

It resulted in a significant reduction of the labor force, impacting agriculture and economic stability.

What does the term 'lay piety' refer to?

A movement among laypeople to engage in personal spirituality and religious practices outside of formal church structures.

How did the vision experiences of mystics like Bridget of Sweden influence religious practices?

They provided personal insights that shaped the spiritual lives of individuals and communities.

What was the broader impact of social unrest on the governance of late medieval societies?

It forced authorities to reconsider policies and management to avoid insurrections.

What was the significance of the late medieval period in terms of social and religious transformation?

It marked a shift towards individual spirituality and challenges to established religious authority.

What economic conditions led to the peasant revolts in Europe during the 14th and 15th centuries?

Crime and new forms of business organization aggravated economic troubles, leading to widespread revolts.

What were Flemish peasants forced to do as part of peace agreements?

They were forced to pay taxes to the French and additional money to monasteries.

What was the Jacquerie?

A massive uprising by French peasants in 1358 protesting heavy taxation.

What triggered the English Peasants' Revolt in 1381?

The reimposition of a tax on all adult males to fund the war with France.

What was the Statute of Laborers?

A law issued in 1351 that froze wages and bound workers to their manors in England.

How did the Black Death impact the labor supply in England?

It drastically cut the labor supply, leading peasants to demand higher wages and fewer obligations.

What role did the nobility play in the repression of peasant revolts?

The nobility united to repress revolts with merciless ferocity, often leading to terrible destruction.

Who was John Ball and what was his influence?

A popular preacher whose social and religious agitation fanned the embers of discontent among the peasants.

What were some grievances of the French peasants during the Jacquerie?

They blamed the nobility for oppressive taxes, criminal banditry, battlefield losses, and general misery.

What was the outcome of the Jacquerie?

The French army crushed the peasant forces, leading to savage repression and confiscation of property.

What was the general sentiment of peasants towards the nobility during the revolts?

Peasants felt exploited and oppressed, leading to a wider revolution of the poor against the rich.

What was the impact of French raids during the Hundred Years' War on English peasants?

Destructive French raids created fear and insecurity among villagers, contributing to their grievances.

What was the significance of the English Peasants' Revolt in 1381?

It involved thousands of people and resulted in the murder of many nobles, including the archbishop of Canterbury.

What was the response of the English government to the revolt?

The royal council ordered sheriffs to collect unpaid taxes by force, which escalated the uprising.

How did the economic frustrations of peasants manifest in their revolts?

Peasants sought release from economic frustrations through revolts against oppressive taxation and conditions.

What was the relationship between urban artisans and rural peasants during the revolts?

Artisans and small merchants in cities sometimes joined the peasants in their revolts.

What were the consequences of the suppression of peasant revolts?

It drove protest underground without addressing the underlying causes of discontent.

What was the role of monasteries in the economic burden on peasants?

Monasteries pressed peasants for additional money, exacerbating their financial struggles.

What was the general attitude of nobles towards peasant labor during this period?

Nobles lived off the food produced by peasant labor while adding taxes to their burdens.

What were the long-term effects of the revolts on the relationship between peasants and nobility?

The revolts created a significant gap between peasants and their lords, leading to ongoing tensions.

What historical context surrounded the peasant revolts in Europe?

The revolts occurred during a time of economic hardship, social unrest, and the aftermath of the Black Death.

What did the peasants do during the Jacquerie?

They burned castles and committed acts of rebellion against the nobility.

What was the significance of the beheading of a leader during the Jacquerie?

It symbolized the violent repression of the revolt and the consequences faced by the rebels.

What was Charles's role during the revolt and the Hundred Years' War?

Charles led the nobles' suppression of the revolt and was a major player in the Hundred Years' War, frequently switching sides to further his own aims.

What is the significance of the Grandes Chroniques de France?

It is a lavishly illuminated manuscript produced in the last quarter of the fourteenth century for a French royal patron, later owned by King Richard III.

What economic belief influenced marriage in late medieval northern and western Europe?

People believed that couples should be economically independent before marrying.

What was a common practice for men and women before marriage during the late Middle Ages?

Men and women often spent long periods as servants or workers in other households, saving money and learning skills for married life.

At what age did women typically marry in late medieval northern and western Europe?

Women generally entered marriage in their twenties.

How did the age of marriage affect women's household management?

Older women had developed skills and were often less dependent on their husbands or mothers-in-law.

What social issue arose from the late age of marriage for men?

Cities and villages were filled with large numbers of young adult men without family responsibilities, contributing to social unrest and riots.

What was the impact of prohibitions on marriage for certain groups of men?

It resulted in a surplus of young adult men in cities, often leading to riots and a market for sexual services.

How did municipal authorities respond to the issue of prostitution in cities?

They set up brothels or districts for prostitution, moving it from a private concern to a public matter requiring supervision.

What does Lucas Cranach the Elder's painting 'The Old Fool' depict?

It shows an old man embracing a young woman, symbolizing marriages with significant age differences and conveying social disapproval.

What was the outcome of the English Peasants' Revolt led by Richard II?

Richard II met the leaders, agreed to charters for peasants' freedom, but ultimately crushed the uprising with ferocity.

What was the long-term effect of the English Peasants' Revolt on rural serfdom?

Rural serfdom continued to decline and disappeared in England by 1550.

What was the economic condition of the nobility after the English Peasants' Revolt?

The nobility attempted to restore labor obligations of serfdom but were unsuccessful, leading to a continued conversion to money rents.

What was a notable feature of marriages in late medieval Europe?

Marriages often involved significant age differences between spouses.

How did the Great Famine influence marriage patterns?

It contributed to the trend of couples waiting longer to marry as they sought economic stability.

What was the social perception of marriages with large age gaps in late medieval Europe?

They were often viewed negatively, as reflected in moral commentaries and artworks.

What was the role of young adult men in social unrest during the late Middle Ages?

They formed the core of riots due to their lack of family responsibilities.

What were the implications of the late marriage age for women's reproductive health?

Women who married later generally had fewer pregnancies, though not necessarily fewer surviving children.

What was the relationship between economic independence and marriage in late medieval Europe?

Economic independence was seen as a prerequisite for marriage, influencing the age and circumstances of marrying couples.

What did the term 'money rents' refer to in the context of post-revolt England?

It referred to the system of paying rent in money rather than through labor obligations, which became more common after the revolt.

How did the economic conditions of the late Middle Ages affect social structures?

They led to increased social unrest and changes in marriage patterns, contributing to the decline of serfdom.

What was the significance of the age disparity in marriages during the late medieval period?

It reflected social norms and economic realities, often leading to moral commentary in art and literature.

What economic system provided opportunities for some artisans during the Middle Ages?

Capitalism

How did guilds typically respond to competition after the Black Death?

By limiting membership to existing guild families.

What was a common consequence for journeymen who could not become masters?

They remained journeymen their entire lives and lost solidarity with the masters.

What factors led to urban uprisings among workers during the Middle Ages?

Declining status, economic prospects, and issues involving honor.

What did poorer masters emphasize to distinguish themselves from less skilled workers?

Skill and honor.

How did capitalist investors affect the hiring of workers, particularly women?

They often paid women less and overlooked regulations excluding them when more workers were needed.

In which regions did peasant revolts blend with urban worker conflicts?

Flanders, France, England, Italy, Spain, and Germany.

What was the structure of craft guilds in the thirteenth century?

They organized production with masters, journeymen, and apprentices working side by side.

What major change occurred in the production system during the fourteenth century?

A shift to a system where each household performed only one step of the production process.

What social division emerged within guilds due to the new production system?

A greater division between wealthier masters and poorer masters and journeymen.

What was the perception of same-sex relations in late medieval Europe?

They were defined as crimes against nature and often punished severely.

What was the legal status of prostitution in the Middle Ages?

Selling sex for money was legal, but the position of women involved was marginal.

What actions did cities take in the late fifteenth century regarding brothel residents?

They began to limit their freedom of movement and required distinctive clothing.

What societal factors contributed to the urban phenomenon of prostitution?

Populous towns with large numbers of unmarried young men and a culture accustomed to cash exchange.

How did the role of women in brothels often begin?

Many were traded by their parents or became indebted to the brothel manager.

What was a common association for young men visiting brothels?

Achieving manhood.

What were the consequences for women who did not live in designated areas of the city?

They faced harsher penalties.

What was the relationship between urban revolts and economic conditions?

Urban revolts had clear economic bases tied to declining work conditions.

What was the role of guilds in regulating membership?

They often excluded women and limited membership to existing guild families.

What did the changing conditions of work lead to among urban workers?

Resentment and rebellion against their employers.

What was the impact of capitalist production on the status of journeymen?

It led to their work becoming wage labor and a decline in their status.

What was the significance of the Black Death on guild membership?

Some guilds opened up membership in response to the crisis.

What did authorities in the late medieval period consider particularly reprehensible?

Same-sex relations, often termed 'sodomy'.

What challenges did unmarried women face in avoiding sexual contact during medieval times?

Unmarried women often worked as domestic servants, making them vulnerable to coercion by their employers or male relatives.

How did notions of female honor affect upper-class women in southern and eastern Europe?

Upper-class women were kept secluded in their homes to protect their honor.

What was the legal consequence of rape in many parts of Europe during the medieval period?

Rape was considered a capital crime, but sentences were often fines or brief imprisonment, influenced by the social status of the victim and perpetrator.

What requirements did victims have to meet to bring a rape charge in medieval Europe?

Victims had to prove they cried out, attempted to repel the attacker, and bring the charge within a short time after the attack.

What was a common motivation for women bringing rape charges?

Women often sought to restore their own honorable reputations rather than punish the perpetrators.

What was the Office of the Night established in Florence, and what was its purpose?

It was a special board set up in 1432 to end sodomy.

How many men came to the attention of the Office of the Night between 1432 and 1502?

About seventeen thousand men were reported to the Office of the Night.

What types of relationships were commonly involved in the cases reported to the Office of the Night?

Most cases involved an adult man and an adolescent boy, ranging from sex exchanged for money or gifts to long-term affectionate relationships.

How did late medieval Florentines view same-sex relations in terms of gender roles?

They followed a generational model where the passive role was seen as subordinate, while the dominant partner maintained their masculine identity.

What was the societal perception of the dominant partner in same-sex relationships in Florence?

The dominant partner's masculinity was not jeopardized, and he could also have female sexual partners.