REN - A Brave New World (Lesson)

A Brave New World.

The Causes of the Renaissance.

After the 100 Years War, France and England begin to focus inward. The Holy Roman Empire is a loose confederation of states and Spain is under Muslim control from 711 C.E. to 1492 C.E. Italy is actually not a country until the 1870's, instead, it is comprised of several city-states under varying controls.

By 1450 C.E., the Middle Ages had ended, replaced with a "Rebirth" of learning and culture that came to be known as the Renaissance. It began in Italy, and is often considered as the beginning of Modern Europe.

 

 

Italian society.

Photograph of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. The social structure in Italy during the Renaissance was arranged as follows:

  • Popolo Grasso - the upper class (approx. 5% of the population), name translates to "Fat People" as they have enough wealth to afford any foods they wish, comprised of new and old wealth, though the old wealth tries to distinguish themselves from those joining their ranks.
  • Mediocri - middle class (approx. 23% of the population), primarily made up of artisans and small merchants, owe more in taxes, name translates to "Mediocre" or "Average."
  • Popolo Minuto - lower class (approx. 70% of the population), included (some) landowners and laborers, several start as serfs, but are freed by the plague (those that knew of their feudal obligation either fled or died allowing them to shift up to become peasants with no one the wiser). In Southern Italy they still pay feudal dues, in the north there are no dues, but they have virtually no say in government. Name means "Little People."
  • Slaves - mainly from the Mediterranean (Muslims, etc) rarely African, mostly female, mostly young. Slave labor was primarily used for housekeeping making women more desirable as opposed to the Western version of slavery seen in the New World where men were desired as farm labor was sought. Often young children were sought after as slaves so that they could be playmates for the master's children. Slavery ends in the 1600's

Families were often comprised of extended households with multiple family members living with or near each other. Marriages tended to be arranged and dowries were prevalent. The Roman ideal of Paterfamilias, father as head of household, was upheld as the father retained power over his children until their death.

Families were still nuclear, but now more out of financial necessity. Women enjoyed increased access to education, but their social status did not change much from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

 

Image: Photograph above is of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. The dome was designed by Renaissance architect Brunelleschi.

 

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