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5 (a) Describe two features of life in medieval towns - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 5
5 (a) Describe two features of life in medieval towns. Feature 1 Feature 2 (b) Explain why the Interdict had such an impact on ordinary people's lives. You may u... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:5 (a) Describe two features of life in medieval towns - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe two features of life in medieval towns.
Answer
Feature 1: Employment
In medieval towns, people were employed in various occupations, such as builders, blacksmiths, and shopkeepers. This variety allowed towns to thrive economically as different skilled workers contributed to the local economy.
Feature 2: Living Conditions
Towns were often crowded and not very clean. Poor sanitation led to the spread of diseases, which was a major health concern for residents. Additionally, the close quarters made it difficult to maintain personal hygiene, further exacerbating these issues.
Step 2
Explain why the Interdict had such an impact on ordinary people's lives.
Answer
The Interdict was a powerful tool used by the church, which suspended religious services and access to sacraments for a particular region. This had a profound effect on ordinary people's lives for several reasons.
Firstly, burials were significantly affected. Without the ability to hold proper funerals and rites, many people felt that their deceased would not have peace in the afterlife, causing distress and uncertainty among families.
Secondly, Holy Days were important to the communal and spiritual lives of the townsfolk. The Interdict meant that traditional celebrations and religious observances could not take place, leading to a sense of isolation and disconnection from their faith. Such effects fostered uncertainty and apprehension in the community, deeply altering their everyday existence.