Medieval Life in Country and Town QUESTIONS 263 I. What led to the disappearance of town life before the twelfth century ? Where and how did the most of the people live ? Describe a medieval manor. What were the services that a serf owed his master ? How did the use of money hasten the decline of serfdom ? II. How did the medieval towns grow up? Compare the medieval town with Greek and Roman cities. What class of people originally settled in the towns ? What is the origin of the town charter ? De- scribe the medieval guilds. Have we any instances of this form of organization today? III. What led to the development of town life in the later Middle Ages? Describe the revival and extending of commerce. What were the more important commercial centers? What were some of the obstacles to business ? What was the medieval attitude toward taking interest for money ? What new social class grew up as a result of the development of business ? ' IV. What are the chief characteristics of the Romanesque style ? What discoveries made the Gothic style possible ? Describe the decora- tion of a Gothic cathedral. Can you find any examples of Romanesque or Gothic art in your neighborhood ? NOTE. Here and there about a Gothic cathedral the stone carvers were accustomed to place grotesque and comical figures and faces. During the process of restoring the cathedral at Rheims a number of these heads were brought together, and the photograph was taken upon which the illustration is based.
