Living Conditions

• What is a cesspit?

  A pit or chamber used for collecting human waste
• What is a conduit?

  A small fountain or water pipe
• What is ergotism and how was it caused?

  It is a disease caused by eating infected rye bread contaminated by fungus
• What is a gong farmer?

  A person who cleans out cesspits for a living
• What role did guilds play in medieval towns?

  They were organizations responsible for maintaining high standards in a particular trade
• What is a latrine?

  A toilet with no system for flushing
• What is a midden?

  A dunghill or pile of rubbish
• What was the impact of the Great Famine of 1315-1316?

  It led to a lack of food and suffering among the population
• How did medieval towns contribute to the spread of disease?

  They were crowded and had poor sanitation, especially on market days
• What was the role of the church in providing clean water?

  The church built conduits to supply water to towns
• How did medieval people obtain fresh water in villages?

  From springs, wells, or rivers
• What was the purpose of cesspits in towns?

  To collect human waste
• What was the main staple food for the poor in medieval times?

  Rye bread
• What types of drinks were commonly consumed in medieval times?

  Ale, cider, and mead
• Why was ale considered healthier than water in towns?

  Ale was made by boiling water, which killed germs
• What were the differences in living conditions between rich and poor people in medieval times?

  • Rich people lived in large houses with gardens.
  • Poor people lived in small huts made of woven sticks and mud.
  • Poor houses had open fires and little light.
  • Rich houses had better sanitation and more space.
• What were the key characteristics of medieval towns?

  • Small size compared to modern standards
  • Busy market days with traders and drovers
  • Crowded living conditions
  • Poor sanitation and pollution
• What were the main features of medieval diets?

  • Staple foods included bread and pottage.
  • Poor people often ate rye bread, which could cause ergotism.
  • Ale and cider were common drinks.
  • Diets varied significantly between rich and poor.
• What were the common waste issues in medieval towns?

  Dung heaps and open sewers
• How did the waste in towns contribute to health issues?

  It spread disease due to unsanitary conditions
• What was a staple food for the poor in medieval times?

  Rye bread
• What illness was caused by a fungus in rye bread?

  Ergotism
• What were the common alcoholic beverages consumed in medieval times?

  Ale, cider, and mead
• Why was ale considered healthier than water in medieval towns?

  Ale was made by boiling water, killing germs
• What types of meat did wealthy medieval people consume?

  A wide variety of meat
• What was the church's stance on eating meat on Fridays?

  Meat was not allowed to be eaten on Fridays
• What was pottage?

  A thick vegetable soup widely eaten by peasants
• What was the role of monasteries in public health during medieval times?

  They provided clean water and cared for the sick
• How did the wealth of monasteries affect public health standards?

  They could afford to improve water systems and hygiene
• What were the differences in diet between the rich and the poor in medieval times?

  Rich:

  • Variety of meats
  • Cheese, eggs, nuts, and fruits
  • Fish on Fridays

  
  

  Poor:

  • Primarily rye bread
  • Limited meat, fish, eggs, and cheese
  • Pottage as a staple