Ordinary European Lifestyles: Middle Ages vs. 17th Century

By the 17th century, the lives of ordinary western Europeans had significantly changed, regarding education. One important way in which education changed, was that by the 17th century, there was an abundance of town and village schools. In the Middle Ages, there was a dearth of universities, and they were only available to the aristocracy. By the 17th century, however, about one half of the students at Oxford, were plebeians, a word the school used to describe students from the middle class. As earlier mentioned, the middle class was certainly considered part of the “ordinary people”. Thus, this change was a great one. While in the Middle Ages, ordinary people had no opportunity, whatsoever, to get an education, suddenly, by the 17th century, 50% of the students at one of the greatest European universities, were ordinary people. In France, meanwhile “colleges” were introduced. They were a combination of English grammar schools, and what corresponded to the first year or two of university work at Oxford or Cambridge. And, what might be called one of the greatest improvements; the classes were no longer fixed. Through promotion through education, or merit, one could improve their social status.

By the 17th century, the lives of ordinary western Europeans women had significantly changed. In the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance especially, women could work. In Medieval Leiden, for example, a textile production center in Holland, 25% of the drapers were female. However, in the 16th and 17th centuries, women suddenly began to be excluded from work. Many historians, believe that this sudden decline, was in a sense arranged by men. Men were threatened by the rise of women, and frightened they might rise to politics. Thus, with self-conscious deliberation, they attempted to strengthen the traditional sex-gender system. Hence, the role of women took a great turn, seemingly for the worst, and was remarkably reduced by the 17th century, compared to the Middle Ages. However, a turn taken for the better, was brought about by the aid of the Ursuline sisters. By the 17th century, the Ursuline sisters had established about 350 convents in Catholic Europe and Canada, in most of which the education of girls was the principal occupation. For the first time, ordinary women could be educated, not just the aristocracy. In the Middle Ages, meanwhile, ordinary women had no chances for education.

By the 17th century, the lives of ordinary western European children had significantly changed. In the Middle Ages, children were thought of as “little adults”. This means, that while they developed physically, mentally they had the same way of thinking as adults. By the 17th century, however, the error was seen, and children were known to be mentally inferior to adults, and thus continuously mentally developing. Also, in the Middle Ages, children were beaten severely. While this encountered no great changes by the 17th century, texts were being written that spoke out against “excessive severity of correction”; the first step. In the Middle Ages, children were told frightening tales, to make them obedient. These tales were said to help with factors such as coming home on time, excessive crying, walking in the corn, or too close to the water. In many cases, children believed these stories even as adults. In more cases yet, as adults they were more frightened of the world because of these tales. Unfortunately, this practice was carried on and lived even by the 17th century. However, texts were also being written by people like Isabella de Moerloose, Reginald Scot, and Balthasar Bekker that also spoke out against this practice. By the 17th century, however, parents were much more devoted to their children than they had ever been in the Middle Ages, and children received education like they never could have in the Middle Ages. In conclusion, while the ordinary people of eastern Europe experienced, virtually, no change, one cannot conclude that all of Europe was the same way. By the 17th century, western Europe had changed significantly. It is a false and untrue claim, that “The lives of ordinary people in Europe by the 17th century had not changed significantly since the early Middle Ages.” In fact, the two time periods nearly contrast one another. While the lives of ordinary eastern Europeans had no significant changes, the lives of ordinary western Europeans had changed in lifestyle, in education, through the roles of women, and through the roles of children.