MAP EXERCISE: THE GROWTH OF TOWNS
Useinformationon the map on the next pageto answerthe followingquestions.
(1)
(r\
(3)
(4)
(5)
The towns shown on the map are all located on what continent?
Most of the world's largest cities have grown up next to waterways.
This happenedbecausetravel and trade betweenearly towns was
generally faster, easier,and cheaperby water than by land. Are
most of the towns on the map located next to waterways?
In the late Middle Ages, kings becamemore powerful than feudal
lords in many parts of Europe. This led to the developmentof
"states,"or countries. Two of the three earliest states formed were
England and France. What was the third?
The modern countries of Germany and Italy did not take shape
until the 1800's,severalhundred years after the Middle Ages came
to an end. Both Germany and Italy were once made up of
numerous independentregions. In Italy, two cities in the 1300's
gained control of busy trade routes betweenWestern Europe and
the easternMediterranean. What were the names of theseport
cities of northern Italy?
The fall of the Roman Empire in the West in 476 was followed by a
period of danger and confusion in Western Europe known as the
Dark Ages. Meanwhile, the easternpart of the ancient Roman
Empire remained strong and prosperousfor hundreds of years.
What was this easternterritorv called?
Part 2 The medieval towns shown on the map, which are all large European cities today, are
hidden on the word search puzzle below. Some are spelled vertically, some horizontally, and
others diagonally. When you frnd the name of a town, circle it both on the puzzle and on the
map. All25 towns on the map are hidden on the puzzle.
AG L ON D
ON D
F L F HB
U GE
GE N E
VA LO LAR
GE V N D
I H E N O RO M
I
S L I ZOB ON
Z NNRB
S
B OR D E A U X
I RV E UT B M Z
U S E V I L LE GE
E NRO O W
R W N A P LE S
I M K CG L
GP A R
I S E K OS
S EVEN
GRA N A D A R MA R
S E I
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E L G RA D
E B C
LN
I RNE
C AV
I LAT
T V O RA
S TOLWI
RC L
I E E DE E
I S RNO
LN
NK L
L P NV O C
I CE A A A N
I
L LE S KN ZAA
Towns of Medieval Europe about 1250
EUROPE
FRANCE
_(
Genbva
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-HlIj
AFRICA
EMPIRE
ASIA
Part 3 During the early Middle Ages, towns in Western Europe declined in population and
importance. The dangers of the Dark Ages forced most peopleto move to small villages on
manors that were protectedby a lord. By the 1100'sand 1200's,however,busy towns once
again dotted the European continent as they had in the days of the Roman Empire. The
statements which follow describethis growth of towns in the late Middle Ages. Read each
statement,then answerthe questionson the next page.
Medieval Towns
1. Towns grew in size and number as trade increasedi4 Western Europe after 1100.
2. Towns appearednext to good harbors, in places where trade routes crossed,next to
castles where manor villages were located, and in other places where merchants
offered products for sale.
3. Merchants sold a wide variety of goodswhich came from as far away as India and
China.
4. Skilled craftsmen, including tailors, brewers, bakers, weavers, goldsmiths, and
shoemakers,openedshops and offered fine handmade products.
5. Some serfs settled in towns after payrng money to the lord to gain their freedom.
Other serfs simply escapedfrom the manor and went to nearby towns. This
movement of peopleweakened the power of feudal lords and led to a decline in
feudalism.
6. As the influence of feudal lords decreased,the power of kings increased. Peoplegave
their support to kings in the hope that they would force an end to warfare between
lords.
7. A typical medieval town was surrounded by a moat and a high wall for protection in
the event ofan attack.
8. Governments were organizedby the townspeople.
9. Taxes were collectedand courts were established.
10. Streets were narrow, dusty, and often littered with garbage thrown aside by
townspeople. At night, the streets were dark and dangerous.
11. Residents lived crowded together in poorly constructed wooden buildings that became
death traps when fire broke out.
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72. Overcrowded,unsanitary living conditionshelped bring about diseasesthat claimed
many lives.
13. The absenceof a police force prompted citizens to carry weaponsto protect themselves
against robbers who roamed the streets at night.
L4. From time to time, townspeopleattended fairs where they eagerly shoppedat booths
set up by merchants from many different countries. Entertainment at fairs included
music, performancesby actors and acrobats,and shows featuring trained animals.
15. Whereas the early Middle Ages had three classesof people -- lords, serfs, and
clergymen -- the late Middle Ages gave rise to a new "middle class" of independent
and often well-to-do merchants and craftsmen.
16. Leisure activities for townspeopleincluded dancing, parades,bowling, archery,
wrestling, soccer,tennis, hockey,and chess,although not all towns offeredall of these
pastimes.
Questions on Medieval Towns Which of the following are descriptions of towns in the late
Middle Ages? Answer reg for a correct description and no for an incorrect description.
(1 ) _
the population was decreasing
( 1 1 )_
causedfeudalism to increase
(2 ) _
lords lived there
the peopleplayed baseball
(3 ) _
where tailors and bakers worked
Q2) _
( 1 3 )_
where serfs went for freedom
(4 ) _
streets were paved
(L4) _
located near good harbors
(5 ) _
death from diseasewas common
( 1 5 )_
residents watched gladiators
(6) _
people enjoyed self-government
( 1 6 )_
surrounded by a wall and moat
(7 ) _
living conditions were comfortable
(I7) _
crime was unknown
(8) (9) _
kings lived there
( 18) _
found along trade routes
houseswere poorly constructed
(19) (20) -
included craftsmen's shops
(10) _
merchants sold a variety of goods
where the middle class lived
Part 4 The dangerousand disorganized conditions of the early Middle Ages led to a decline in
education in Western Europe. Except for the work of monks, who copied Greek and Roman
manuscripts, almost all evidenceof learning disappeared. But as the confusion of the Dark
Ages passed,towns grew in size, trade increased,and people once again took an interest in
education. IJniversitieswere establishedin the leading cities of Europe. Students studied law,
medicine, theology, and the arts. Certain customs and practices which are common today
began at this time, including professorslecturing to their classes,students taking
examinations, and the giving of degreesat graduation to students wearing caps and gowns.
Before entering a university, students studied sevenbasic subjects. These subjectsare given in
the list of scrambledwords below. Rearrangethe letters and write the subjectsin the spaces
provided.
(1) RTMECIHIAT
(5) MARiVIARG
Q) SUCIM
(3) CHEEPS
(4) ROOTSAMNY
(6) METGEROY
(7) GIOCL
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