Lesson 6 Introduction: Life in Medieval Towns

At the start of the Middle Ages, most lived in ___ _______ , either on feudal manors or in religious communities. Many owned or worked on farms where they produced their own food. But by the 12th century, towns were emerging around castles and monasteries and along trade routes. These bustling towns became centers of trade and industry.

(a)  

At the start of the Middle Ages, most lived in the countryside, either on ____ _____ or in religious communities. Many owned or worked on farms where they produced their own food. But by the 12th century, towns were emerging around castles and monasteries and along trade routes. These bustling towns became centers of trade and industry.

(a)  

At the start of the Middle Ages, most lived in the countryside, either on feudal manors or in _____ _______. Many owned or worked on farms where they produced their own food. But by the 12th century, towns were emerging around castles and monasteries and along trade routes. These bustling towns became centers of trade and industry.

(a)  

At the start of the Middle Ages, most lived in the countryside, either on feudal manors or in religious communities.

Many _____ or ______ on _____ where they produced their own food. But by the 12th century, towns were emerging around castles and monasteries and along trade routes. These bustling towns became centers of trade and industry.

(a)  

At the start of the Middle Ages, most lived in the countryside, either on feudal manors or in religious communities.

Many owned or worked on farms where they produced their own food.

But by the 12th century, _____ were ______ around castles and monasteries and ______ ______ routes.

These bustling towns became centers of trade and industry.

(a)  

At the start of the Middle Ages, most lived in the countryside, either on feudal manors or in religious communities.

Many owned or worked on farms where they produced their own food.

But by the 12th century, towns were emeriging around castles and monasteries and along trade routes.

These bustling towns ______ ______ of ______ and ______.

(a)  

GIVE 4 ADJECTIVES about medieval towns from the paragraph.

EXAMPLE:

• * busy

• * crowded

DO NOT WRITE FULL SENTENCES

Most streets were very ​​ ​ (a)   . The second stories of houses jutted out, blocking the sunlight from reaching the street. With few sources of indoor light, houses were often ​ (b)   ​ . Squares and streets were ​ (c)   with ​ (d)   , ​ (e)   , and carts—as well as cats, dogs, geese, and chickens. There was no garbage collection, so residents threw their garbage into nearby canals and ditches or simply out the window. As you can imagine, most medieval towns were filled with unpleasant smells.​

• narrow
• dark
• crowded
• people
• horses

Most streets were very ​​narrow . The second stories of houses jutted out, blocking the sunlight from reaching the street. With few sources of indoor light, houses were often ​ dark ​ . Squares and streets were ​ crowded with ​ people , ​ horses , and carts—as well as cats, dogs, geese, and chickens. There was ​ (a)   , so residents threw their garbage into ​ (b)   and ditches or simply out the window. As you can imagine, most medieval towns were filled ​ (c)   .​

• no garbage collection
• nearby canals
• with unpleasant smells

Describe in 1-2 words what life would have been like in medieval towns.