Economy

1. Economy By Mariah, Kiana, Karah and Chris

2. Agriculture • Soil : dark, dense soaked from rainfall. • Farmers improved the plough by making it heavier and using horses instead of Yoked oxen. • Three Field System: Divided their land into three sections and only grew crops in two sections. The third section wasleft empty to be fertilized by the farm animals. • They cut down forests and swamps were drained for more farming land in the 11th Century. • Read page 317, Innovations :The Three Field System

3. Industry • Artisans – Produced goods for towns people. Examples : Bakers, weavers, wool dyers etc. • Merchants and Traders – Sold extra ware. • Guild- A group of people working in the same profession. • Boys ages 8-10 were taught how to be a part of business from a master. • Women worked alongside their husbands in the business. A widow could take over her husband’s business or be apart of a guild such as lace making, silk spinning and weaving.

4. Trade • Was non-existent until the 10th and 11th Century. • Northern Italians sent ships to buy sugar, spices and silk. • Rivers were the new “highways” of trade. • Italy traded goods from afar and North Europe transported furs, skin and wool. England was famous for it’s wool exports. • Local Merchants held large trade fairsto buy and sell their goods.

5. Review • What did the farmers do to improve plough? They made it heavier and used horses to pull it to plough the fields faster. • What was the three field system? The fields were divided into three sections. Two grew crops while the third was left empty • What is a Guild? A group of people working in the same profession 4. When did trade become existent? In the 10th and 11th Century

6. Homework • Homework: Page 321 Question 2, a • Video : • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT4DL3ffg38