 A demand for more produce for the kingdom led the people to devise new ways of

farming

o Land development can be done either via crop rotation or via the three-field of
farming

- The two-field system, originally introduced to Northern Europe, and was suited to the
Mediterranean climate, but it would exhaust soil if planted twice a year. So to prevent
soil exhaustion, peasants divided their farmland into three fields: winter, summer, and
fallow. The winter crop was typically winter wheat or rye, while the spring crop was
either spring wheat or legumes (beans or peas). The greater variety of crops provided
people with a more balanced diet. The three-field system increased the number of crops
planted, resulting in a 33% increase in food production. This extra time could be used for
cleaning new farmland, leading to more food and population growth.

o Land development and supply transport were made faster due to the invention
of the heavy plow and the rise of cross-breeding workhorses

- Another major development in farming was the heavy flow that could cut through the deep,
wet, and heavy soils of Northern Europe much better than the light scratch plow. As with the
three-field system and crop rotation, the heavy plow also fed into the feedback cycle of more
food, population growth, etc. the heavy plow had an impact on peasant society and land holding
patterns. Being heavy, it required as many as eight oxen to pull it compared to two oxen on the
scratch plow. They combined their ox teams in one plow since few peasants could afford own
team to ensure everyone had some land plowed. This practice was beneficial as it reduced the
turning radius of the plow team and created a more cooperative society.

- The last major development in farming was a new source of power, the plow horse. The
invention of the horseshoe (c.900 C.E.) prevented the hooves of the horse from cracking in the
cold wet soil. The horse collar let the horse pull from the chest rather than the neck. This
increased the horse’s pulling power for about 1000 lbs. (with the yoke harness) to as much as
5000 lbs. with the horse collar. Finally, cross breeding to make larger workhorses also provided
the peasants with larger plow horses.

-
1. The birth of the plow horse allowed for faster land development because
it was faster than an ox
2. The plow horse could work for longer hours
3. The plow horse also required less maintenance

- With the invention of the horseshoe and horse collar. It could pull up to fifty percent faster
than the ox, and could work one to two hours longer per day.
  The “revival” of towns drove people to seek knowledge in the ancient civilization

-The Renaissance was indeed a period of renewed interest in the ideas and culture of
ancient Greece and Rome. Some of the key ideas that were revived during this time
included a focus on humanism, which emphasized the value and potential of individuals,
as well as a renewed interest in classical art, literature, and philosophy. The revival of
Greek and Roman ideas also led to advancements in areas such as science, architecture,
and political thought. This period marked a significant shift in European intellectual and
cultural development.

- Ancient Greece and the Italian Renaissance marked significant turning points in history,
breaking cultural restraints and introducing innovative forms and ideas in art,
architecture, literature, history, and science. Both ages, though brief, passed on cultural
heritage that is essential to our civilization, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of
ancient Rome and Greece.

 Literature and learning centered on the church led to the establishment of new
schools for nobles and wealthy merchants that could afford education and
printed books, offering a secular curriculum including philosophy, literature,
mathematics, history, and politics, influenced by Greek and Roman culture.

 Medieval Art was the most radical innovations and breaks, focusing on the Glory
of God, neglecting mundane details and focusing on secular themes, particularly
portraits. And even religious paintings paid a great deal in glorifying human form
and accomplishments. Renaissance artists, starting with Giotto in the early
1300s, perfected background, perspective, proportion, and individuality.
Leonardo's detailed paintings are so accurate that even botanists can identify the
plants he put in his paintings.

 Science saw little advancement, but it was also important for future
developments.