The Middle Ages - Daily Life in Medieval Towns

This is an 18 slide, highly animated, power point presentation on The Middle Ages - Daily Life in Medieval Towns. All the slides are editable so you can modify the slides if you need to.

By the 12th century, towns were growing up around castles and monasteries and along trade routes. These towns became centers of trade and industry. Most towns were surrounded by high walls so everyone entered through a gate in the walls. Colorful signs advertised the merchant wares, since few could read or write. Streets were unpaved, narrow and dark. Animal waste and garbage lined the streets & canals. The towns stunk!

One reason the towns were growing was the improvement in farming methods so there was a surplus of crops to sell. Trade increased as well and many cities grew near waterways. Merchants settled in cities to trade and some who specialized became wealthy.

At the beginning of the Middle Ages towns were under the domain of a feudal lord. As towns grew wealthier, the merchants began to resent the lords rights and demand for taxes. They felt they no longer needed his protection.

Many towns in England became independent by purchasing a “royal charter” which granted towns the right to govern themselves in the form of a borough. Towns continued to grow!

The presentation covers the following:

Introduction

Growth of Towns

Boroughs

Town Government

The Merchant Class

Masons

Guilds (2)

Trade and Commerce

The First Companies

Homes and Households

Families and Children

Disease and Medication

Crime and Punishment

Leisure and Entertainment

End of Presentation

This is one of several power point presentations that I offer in my store on... the Middle Ages.