There Will Be Wolves

A Historical Perspective

The Middle Ages

• People lived in small farming communities• No modern technology – no electricity,

running water• Very rigid class system – most of the

population was quite poor• Towns were composed of taverns, small

businesses, a church, and houses

Cities / towns were built near a water source such as a river

Towns were very crowded on market days

Setting: Cologne

Cologne Cathedral

Punishments

• Trial by ordeal• Capital punishment: physical punishments– Ie. Stealing: first time: lose a finger

Second time: lose a handThird time: lose your life

Capital Punishment

Medicine

• Believed that illness was the result of evil spirits in the blood

• Bleeding was a common cure to disease• Medicine was herbal – teas, poultices• Very superstitious – For example, the woman who believes Ursala has

cursed her unborn child

Apothecary

• Basically a pharmacist • Also fulfilled the role of doctor, and

sometimes dentist

Typical stores selling wares

Medieval Apothecary

Plants provided ingredients for potions

Tools for crushing leaves to make medicine

Trade Guilds

• A young man could become an apprentice to a Master craftsman

• When he learned the trade he would become a Master – he could join the guild – he could have his own apprentice

• The guild was like a union – controlled prices and wages

Stone Mason

Medieval Churches

Architecture

• Low buildings• Thick walls• Few windows• Took years to build

Old style of church

Modern Cathedral

Pilgrimage

• A journey to a place of religious significance• Usually done as a form of penance or renewal• The crusades were a type of pilgrimage to the

holy lands

Crusades

• Christians travelled to the holy lands to free them from the Muslims

• Many innocents were killed• Did not behave well along the journey – often

stole from the towns along the way• Very dangerous

Pilgrimage