Background
Many things changed in the High Middle Ages, especially agriculturally. There was a much larger mass of food production each year because of many factors. One was the increase in the area that was farmed. The Europeans cleared out many forests in order to plant fields for their food. They then used this wood for things such as houses, commercial construction, ships, and charcoal. Other ways that they made room was by taking land from the sea as well as drying up ponds and swamps.
Technological Changes
Many places in Europe had mines from which they got iron. This made it possible for them to make technological changes to the way they farmed. A plow called the carruca was invented, which made a big difference in the efficiency of farming. The old plow that used to be what farmers used was called the aratum. This plow did not have wheels, and was mainly wood, not making it able to plow very deep into the ground. The carruca however, was heavy, but had a wheel so that it was easy to move around. It was much more efficient for the thick, hard ground above the Alps. At first, it was designed for two oxen to pull it, but advances were made so that horses could pull it instead. There was eventually a new kind of horse collar that went around its chest, allowing a team of horses to pull it faster than ever before. Iron also allowed the invention of the horseshoe. This gave the horses better grip and more protection from rocks and roots.
The carruca was expensive, however, and therefore it took an entire village to buy one. Other people would donate horses for use. The plow was so heavy that, to make plowing less of a hassle, the land was farmed in long thin strips so less turns could be made.
There were also more advances in technology. Wind and water energy began to pick up. In order to grind their grain, the people now used watermills. They also built dams so that they could increase the pressure of the water flowing into the mill. Water power was also used in things such as cloth and metal production. Because there were not always rivers or streams nearby, windmills were built to harness power.
The carruca was expensive, however, and therefore it took an entire village to buy one. Other people would donate horses for use. The plow was so heavy that, to make plowing less of a hassle, the land was farmed in long thin strips so less turns could be made.
There were also more advances in technology. Wind and water energy began to pick up. In order to grind their grain, the people now used watermills. They also built dams so that they could increase the pressure of the water flowing into the mill. Water power was also used in things such as cloth and metal production. Because there were not always rivers or streams nearby, windmills were built to harness power.
The Three-Field System
Farmers in the Early Middle Ages had 2 fields: one that they planted things in, and the other that was empty until they rotated the next season. They now had 3 fields: one with fall grains, one with spring grains and vegetables, and the other that was barren until the next rotation came. This allowed for more agricultural production, and it allowed the one empty field to replenish its nutrients, so that it wouldn't get used up and become useless. This system allowed for increased productivity for farmers.
The food prices did begin to go up in the 13th century, so the lords would lease their demesne to the serfs so that they could cultivate it and produce more, while paying rent. This allowed for more efficiency, and it allowed the lord to collect money, making the serfs peasants who were no longer bound to the land. The monarchs slowly began to take over the legal jurisdiction.
The food prices did begin to go up in the 13th century, so the lords would lease their demesne to the serfs so that they could cultivate it and produce more, while paying rent. This allowed for more efficiency, and it allowed the lord to collect money, making the serfs peasants who were no longer bound to the land. The monarchs slowly began to take over the legal jurisdiction.