The expansion of the Mediterranean trading routes in Europe, in addition to the steep rise in population of the High Middle Ages, added to the transition of a primarily agrarian society to a newly found focus in building the popularity of towns. The art found in everyday objects created by the Medieval townspeople speaks to the societal clashing that they endured with those in power due to the newfound success they found in guilds. Wrought-iron guild signs were small works of art used to mark individual guild locations. They were crafted and designed with small images and symbols representative of their guild’s craft in iron and sometimes in stained glass. These guild signs can still be seen intact throughout Europe, and can be used to locate where a merchant or craftsmen started their own business and initiated their own dissent from their lord or bishop. Intricate gold, silver, and copper coins from the Middle Ages also illustrate this idea, as miscellaneous feudal coins have been found by different guilds that differ from the other primary royal and crusader coins of the time period. Craftsmen, with their apprentices, ran their workshops and organized guilds to meet growing demand for their goods. Craftsmen, merchants, and entire guilds actually earned quite substantially for themselves, and felt resentment in that they were still held accountable to the lord or bishop of their traditional feudal social structure. These citizens, who felt transported back to the time of serfdom, constantly conflicted with their lords as they wanted self-government. They upset the status quo of traditional feudalism, levied their own taxes, created their own laws, and even issued different coins to upset their lords or bishops.
By Erin, Atty, Mekayla
Your response was nicely done; we liked your examples of the use of images and symbols and of the coins. Just out of curiosity: in your research, did you come across any mention of a particular symbol (i.e. one found at a well-known building in Europe). Some specific detail such as that would have been mind-blowing to recognize. But that is just a thought. Also, the coins were a well-chosen example that symbolized the tensions between the different classes in the social structure and the act of defiance shown by the artisans and merchants. We think that those guilds of craftsman deserved much more than to be treated as serfs, and likewise found it amusing that a simple object such as a coin would be used as a form of major rebellion.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing we like about your mention of the coins and the signs is their subtlety. We found it refreshing that you were attentive to the small yet key objects of daily activity, rather than, say, looking for clues in some famous art piece (i.e. a painting). One part of your response that we would have liked to see more elaboration on is your mention of how the rise in population and increasing popularity of the towns led to the rise of the middle class. A generalized answer can be inferred, of course, but it would be nice to see more information about it. Could you possibly disclose more about it? Overall, you guys did a great job! Congrats☺
Wylie Period 5, Team 3 (Paulina, Karen, Angela, Emily)