Commoners

Definition

Commoners were the majority of the population during the Middle Ages, primarily consisting of peasants, artisans, and laborers who did not belong to the noble or clergy classes. They played a crucial role in the economy and society, as their labor supported the feudal system and agricultural production. Despite their essential contributions, commoners had limited rights and often faced harsh living conditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Commoners made up about 90% of the population in medieval Europe, highlighting their significance in society.
2. Most commoners worked in agriculture, but many also engaged in trades and crafts within towns and cities.
3. Commoners had limited political power and were often excluded from decision-making processes that affected their lives.
4. The rise of towns and trade in the late Middle Ages led to some commoners gaining wealth and influence, eventually challenging traditional social hierarchies.
5. Rebellions and uprisings by commoners, like the Peasants' Revolt in England (1381), showcased their frustrations with feudal obligations and economic hardships.

Review Questions

• How did the role of commoners shape the economy during the Middle Ages?
  • Commoners were essential to the medieval economy as they comprised the majority of the workforce. They labored in agriculture, providing food for the population, while others worked as artisans and tradespeople, contributing to local markets. Their work supported the feudal system, where lords relied on commoners for agricultural production and revenue generation through taxes and rents.
• Discuss the impact of guilds on commoners' rights and opportunities during the Middle Ages.
  • Guilds played a vital role in protecting the interests of common artisans and tradespeople. They established standards for workmanship, provided training through apprenticeships, and created a sense of community among craftsmen. By organizing into guilds, commoners could negotiate better working conditions and wages, gaining a level of economic security that was typically unavailable to unorganized laborers.
• Evaluate how social changes towards the end of the Middle Ages affected commoners' status in society.
  • As towns grew and trade expanded towards the end of the Middle Ages, commoners began to experience shifts in their social status. The emergence of a wealthy merchant class allowed some commoners to gain wealth and influence, which challenged traditional social hierarchies dominated by nobility. This period also saw increased discontent among commoners due to heavy taxation and poor living conditions, leading to uprisings that would eventually spark changes in societal structure and governance.

Related terms

Feudalism: A social and economic system where land was owned by nobles and worked by peasants in exchange for protection and a place to live.

Serfs: Peasants who were bound to the land they worked on and were subject to the will of the landowner, often facing restrictions on their freedom.

Guilds: Associations of artisans and merchants that regulated trade practices, set standards for quality, and provided mutual support for their members.