Come si viveva in una città medievale? Vita Quotidiana, Tempo Libero e Divertimenti Vari

Summary

This video takes viewers on a journey into the vibrant and noisy streets of a medieval city, contrasting it with the modern world. It explores daily life, from bustling market squares to the lively sounds of merchants and children playing in the streets. The video delves into the social dynamics of medieval communities, highlighting family life, public gatherings, and the role of entertainment such as street performers and games. It also discusses the methods of communication in a time without modern technology, where news was spread loudly through town criers and heralds. Overall, it provides an immersive glimpse into the rich and dynamic life of the medieval period.

Takeaways

• 😀 Medieval cities had a distinct soundscape, with no modern traffic noises, replaced by bustling human voices, the sounds of craftsmen at work, and animal noises.
• 😀 Life in medieval cities revolved around outdoor spaces, with most activities—such as shopping, socializing, and working—taking place on the streets or in public areas.
• 😀 Children played in the streets and were more numerous than today due to higher birth rates and lower life expectancy, and they often engaged in work or play outdoors.
• 😀 Women were commonly seen engaging in social activities like chatting, embroidering, or simply sitting on their doorsteps, as social life was largely public in the Middle Ages.
• 😀 In the absence of modern entertainment, public events like religious festivals, street performances, and public games were the main sources of leisure.
• 😀 Religious events, such as large-scale church rituals or sacre rappresentazioni (religious plays), were held outdoors in the town squares, emphasizing the importance of public participation.
• 😀 The ringing of church bells played a crucial role in marking time and announcing important events such as prayers, fires, riots, or deaths.
• 😀 Gambling was a common pastime for men, but gambling by women was considered scandalous and was disapproved of by the church.
• 😀 Street performers, known as 'giullari,' brought entertainment through acrobatics, juggling, music, and storytelling, often using physical comedy and music to engage audiences.
• 😀 Communication in medieval cities was slow and informal, relying on town criers, traveling performers, and merchants to spread news, as there were no modern postal systems.
• 😀 The medieval postal system was rudimentary, with messages being carried by individuals or trusted couriers, and news was often communicated through public proclamations or word of mouth.

Q & A

What were some key differences in the sounds between a medieval city and a modern city?

In a medieval city, the sounds would have been dominated by human voices, children playing, merchants calling out, animal noises, and the sound of carts and horses. This would replace the modern sounds of traffic, cars, and clattering engines.

Why were there more children in medieval cities than there are today?

Medieval societies had larger families, and people tended to live shorter lives, which meant that there were more children around. Additionally, without compulsory education, children often spent time in the streets either playing or working.

How were commercial activities conducted in medieval cities?

Commercial activities took place on the streets with craftsmen’s shops located on the ground floor of houses. Merchants displayed their goods on wooden or stone counters, and many tradespeople worked while humming or singing, which would have been a common sound in the city.

What role did bells play in medieval society?

Bells were crucial in medieval life. They marked the passage of time, called people to prayer, announced deaths, alerted the city to danger, or summoned people to assemblies. They rang several times a day, at dawn and sunset, and could also warn of fires or other emergencies.

How did medieval people spend their free time?

In medieval cities, people spent their free time socializing, often in public spaces like market squares or outside their homes. Activities included playing cards, storytelling, watching street performances, or attending religious and public events such as mysteries or executions.

What were the social and entertainment activities like for women in the medieval period?

Women in medieval cities often socialized with neighbors, playing games like cards, sewing, or gossiping. They were also seen sitting at windows or loggias. Despite some restrictions, these activities helped to create a sense of community in an otherwise entertainment-poor environment.

What types of public entertainment were available in medieval cities?

Public entertainment in medieval cities included jousts, storytelling, acrobatics, and performances by street entertainers like jesters, musicians, and contortionists. These performances, often featuring crude humor or physical comedy, were an important part of public life.

Why did the church disapprove of street performers like jesters and acrobats?

The church disapproved of street performers because they were often seen as immoral figures, without a fixed home and engaging in what was considered improper behavior. Performing in public, with the use of their bodies, was viewed as against both societal norms and divine order.

How did information spread across medieval cities given the lack of modern communication tools?

Information spread through medieval cities via town criers, heralds, and town announcements. These individuals would ride horses or walk through towns, making proclamations with loud calls. Since there were no postal systems like today, messages were often delivered by trusted individuals or traveling merchants.

What was the role of the medieval 'town crier' or 'herald'?

The town crier or herald played an essential role in disseminating important information, such as proclamations, legal notices, and town events. They would often announce news with loud calls, sometimes accompanied by musical instruments like horns or trumpets.