Within the British Medieval period, the economy was at a point in which growth was occurring and would eventually lead to the British renaissance. The British aristocracy received their wealth from taxation of peasants. Peasants spent what was left of their income (not taken by taxes) on manufactured and imported goods. This is where the tradesman came in and assumed its position that did not conform with aristocratic wealth. Even though not elaborately wealthy, tradesmen were privately employed, received steady wages, and were annually taxed by their local kingdom. As Britain gained more involvement in international trade, so did the necessity for local artisans, manufacturers, and merchants to expand their crafts and goods into the market and comply with the soon increasing demands of luxury from the aristocracy. Overall, British citizens were beginning to receive their own surplus of individual wealth. Within rare cases over time, this wealth could equal that of a British aristocrat therefore rocking the foundation that aristocrats were always above those that were lower citizens. Within Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, a large encompassing theme of the book was the corruption of the Catholic Church. Historically and as well due to trade/tradesmen, the Catholic Church had grown incredibly wealthy and had exercised great control over much of Europe as a result. Chaucer reflects the corruption in his literature with characters such as the Monk and the Prioress. Such characters are clearly depicted as preferring an aristocratic lifestyle rather than a monastic devotional one, both going as far in context as making religion a profitable trade. (260 Words)
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This was very well written. Our group thought that the idea of the British government was explained well. How the British aristocracy got their wealth from the taxation of peasants and how the peasants spent the rest of theirincomeon imported goods. Your group explained the British government accurately. Our group learned more about the medieval period through your research.
ReplyDeleteTeam 3- Excellent job analyzing the economic and religious aspects of the medieval era, especially tracing connections back to the Canterbury Tales with the religious part. The only thing this synthesis is lacking is a look at the social issues of the time. Certainly the oppression of the church is a large part of it, but there are other things as well that could have been addressed (i.e. the battle of hastings and the dominance of the French language.) Overall, great job!
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