Merchant Class
Home Topics Feudal System Noble Class Knighthood Merchant Class Peasant Class Clothing Food Castles Heraldry Art and Music	The merchant class, or middle class, had more power than peasants, but less power than nobles. Merchants did many different jobs such as: Candle making Medicine/doctor Woodworking Metal working/smith Artist Musician Leather working Baker Merchants who had a special craft or skill may have joined a guild. A guild was a group of people who all practiced the same skill. In the guild, there were three different skill levels. First, a person was an apprentice. This was usually a young boy or teenager, who was beginning to learn the skill. He worked with a master. Next, after years of practice and learning, a person became a journeyman. This meant that he was highly skilled, and could get paid for his work. Finally, after more years of practice, a person could create a masterpiece. This was the best example of his work. The guild would judge the masterpiece, and if it was good enough, the journeyman would become a master.
Interesting Links Mr. Donn's Medieval Europe History for Kids Ducksters Social Studies for Kids
"Life in the Middle Ages" Video Series The Serf The Noble The Merchant The Monk The Doctor The Knight