Early European History Part 98

3. Who comprised the "third estate" in the Middle Ages? What cla.s.s corresponds to it at the present time?

4. Why has the medieval city been called the "birthplace of modern democracy"?

5. Compare the merchant guild with the modern chamber of commerce, and craft guilds with modern trade unions.

6. Look up the origin of the words "apprentice," "journeyman," and "master."

7. Why was there no antagonism between labor and capital under the guild system?

8. Compare the medieval abhorrence of "engrossing" with the modern idea that "combinations in restraint of trade" are wrong.

9. Why were fairs a necessity in the Middle Ages? Why are they not so useful now? Where are they still found?

10. Compare a medieval fair with a modern exposition.

11. What would be the effect on trade within an American state if tolls were levied on the border of every county?

12. What is meant by a "robber baron"?

13. How did the names "damask" linen, "chinaware," "j.a.panned" ware, and "cashmere" shawls originate?

14. Why was the purchasing power of money much greater in the Middle Ages than it is now?

15. Why are modern coins always made perfectly round and with "milled"

edges?

16. Are modern coins "debased" to any considerable extent? What is the use of alloys?

17. Why was the money-changer so necessary a figure in medieval business?

18. How is it easy to evade laws forbidding usury?

19. Look up in an encyclopedia the legend of the "Wandering Jew." How does it ill.u.s.trate the medieval att.i.tude toward Jews?

20. Write out the English equivalents of the Italian words mentioned in footnote 20.

21. Compare the Italian despots with the Greek tyrants.

22. Show that Venice in medieval times was the seaport nearest the heart of commercial Europe.

23. Compare the Venetian and Athenian sea-empires in respect to (a) extent, (b) duration, and (c) commercial policy.

24. Why was Venice called the "bride of the sea"?

FOOTNOTES

[1] The word "city" comes through the French from the Latin _civilitas_, meaning citizens.h.i.+p, state. The word "town" (from Anglo-Saxon _tun_), which is now often used as a synonym of city, originally meant a village (French _ville_, Latin _villa_).

[2] See page 437.

[3] See page 81.

[4] From French _bourg,_ "town."

[5] See pages 506, 515.

[6] The visitor to Chester in England or Rothenburg in Germany finds the old ramparts still standing and gains an excellent idea of the cramped quarters of a medieval city. Nuremburg in southern Germany is another city which has preserved its medieval monuments.

[7] French _couvre feu_, "cover fire."

[8] In French _hotel de ville_; in German _Rathhaus_.

[9] German _burgermeister_, from _burg_, "castle."

[10] French _maire_, from Latin _major_, "greater."

[11] Anglo-Saxon _ealdorman_ (_eald_ means "old").

[12] A map of London still shows such names as Shoe Lane, Distaff Lane, Cornhill, and many other similar designations of streets.

[13] The civic procession in London on Lord Mayor's Day is the last survival in England of these yearly shows.

[14] See page 336.

[15] See page 382.

[16] See pages 47-48.

[17] See page 417.

[18] See page 640.

[19] Lombard Street in London, the financial center of England, received its name from the Italian bankers who established themselves in this part of the city.

[20] Among the Italian words having to do with commerce and banking which have come into general use are _conto, disconto, risico, netto, deposito, folio_, and _bilanza_.

[21] See page 460.

[22] See page 590.

[23] See page 478.

[24] See page 248.

[25] Known in the Middle Ages as the Morea.

[26] For the Venetian possessions in 1453 A.D. see the map, page 494.