Introduction
For a long time, the Middle Ages were considered a dead era from the point of view of scientific development and technological progress. Today, on the contrary, it is recognized that the four or five centuries between the year 1000 and the invention of printing brought about profound transformations. Certainly, there were few spectacular discoveries or inventions, of those that opened new horizons for humanity, such as the invention, in the 18th century, of the steam engine or electricity. The conquests of medieval technology were more humble, more related to the needs of daily life and the familiar works of the city and the fields. But it was precisely for these reasons that they proved, in the long run, to be of fundamental importance.
Agricultural techniques
Innovations in agriculture
We know that after the year 1000, Europe experienced a tremendous economic boom. A key factor in the economic recovery was the ability of farmers to produce more than they needed for their livelihood. Surplus goods could then be sold or traded on marketplaces or at major trade fairs. This influx of goods gave new life to trade, and, in turn, to crafts and industry. Some innovations, or practical applications of discoveries made by scientists, were made to agricultural technology. They may have played a decisive role in this general expansion, as they made it possible to considerably increase yields.
A new type of plough
The great civilizations of the ancient world had developed in a warm environment, where the soil was dry, friable and shallow. The main problem for farmers at the time was to keep moisture in the soil as long as possible. To do this, they adopted a lightweight plough, without wheels, called an armoire, actually a simple and solid stake that barely scratched the ground. It was indeed useless to return the soil to the sun, it would dry faster. With a pair of oxen, the farmers ploughed the field in parallel furrows, then, perpendicular to the furrows, in order to break up the clods of earth. This approach, adapted to the Mediterranean climate, was not at all appropriate in Northern Europe. There, the soil was wet and heavy, and the humidity damaged the roots of some plants. After several attempts, a new type of plough was adopted, still in use today. This plough, heavier than the armoire, was mounted on wheels. In front of the coulter, a long vertical iron knife, called a coulter, made it possible to make the first opening in heavy soil. The coulter, covered with iron, turned the clods over. It ended with a mouldboard that allowed the earth to be thrown back from both sides of the furrow. In this way, between two parallel furrows, a small mound of earth was formed, which proved to be very useful. When the season was dry, wheat grew in the hollow of the wet furrows. On the contrary, if the season was too humid, it would grow on the mound cleared of excessive moisture.
More efficient couplers
Since the domestication of the horse, men knew that it was fast and stronger than the ox. However, this animal was rarely used for fieldwork, as the harness was not suitable for heavy pulling. The traditional harness consisted of a loose handcraft carried on the animal's neck. Also, the more the horse pulled, the more the tinker obstructed his breathing. In the early Middle Ages, the rigid collar harness was invented. This padded necklace rested on the horse's shoulders and did not interfere with his breathing. The performance of the couplers was also improved by changing the position of the draught animals. In ancient times, two, four, sometimes six horses were harnessed side by side in front of a tank. The strength of these horses was poorly concentrated and partly lost. In the Middle Ages, they were harnessed in line, or in pairs, so the horses exerted a much greater force. In hot and dry climates, the horses' hooves wore relatively little. They were protected by bandages called hipposandals. On the other hand, in the temperate and heavy climates of central Europe, the hooves were reinforced with iron nailed underneath. Shoeing was one of the innovations that helped to make the horse the indispensable auxiliary of man. In addition, the arched saddle improved the rider's stability, especially in the longitudinal axis (forward-backwards), it increased his ability to manoeuvre, especially in armed clashes. The Barbarians from the East brought the stirrup in the 9th century. Connected to the saddle, the stirrups provided a strong support point, increasing lateral stability. The warrior could wear spears and stand on the stirrups during a fight.
Interesting?
to be continued in the next part