In this video, we explore how some medieval peasants managed to escape poverty and build real wealth—without capitalism, startups, or stock markets. From the rise of the Church as a ladder to power, to the brutal wealth of mercenaries in the Hundred Years’ War, to the hidden influence of guilds and trade, this is the real story of upward mobility in the Middle Ages. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: The Myth of the Helpless Peasant 00:46 - The Church: From Choirboy to Archbishop 03:28 - War & Mercenary Work: Get Paid or Die Trying 05:16 - Guilds & Commerce: Trade Your Way to the Top 06:55 - The Harsh Reality (and Real Possibility) of Upward Mobility What You’ll Learn: How medieval peasants could rise through the Church hierarchy How wars like the Hundred Years’ War created opportunities for profit How guilds controlled urban wealth and offered pathways for skilled workers Why the Black Death cracked open the feudal system Featured figures & examples: Thomas Becket’s rise from merchant’s son to Archbishop Routiers and mercenary companies during the Hundred Years’ War Francesco Datini, the “Merchant of Prato” The economic impact of guilds in Florence and London
The musings and meandering thoughts of a crotchety old man as he observes life in the world and in a small, rural town in South East Nebraska. My Pledge-Nulla dies sine linea-Not a day with out a line.
Stand Alone Pages on 'Musings of an Old Curmudgeon'
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28 September 2025
How Medieval Peasants Got Rich Without Capitalism (Hint: the Church Helped!)
From Medieval Mindset
In this video, we explore how some medieval peasants managed to escape poverty and build real wealth—without capitalism, startups, or stock markets. From the rise of the Church as a ladder to power, to the brutal wealth of mercenaries in the Hundred Years’ War, to the hidden influence of guilds and trade, this is the real story of upward mobility in the Middle Ages. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: The Myth of the Helpless Peasant 00:46 - The Church: From Choirboy to Archbishop 03:28 - War & Mercenary Work: Get Paid or Die Trying 05:16 - Guilds & Commerce: Trade Your Way to the Top 06:55 - The Harsh Reality (and Real Possibility) of Upward Mobility What You’ll Learn: How medieval peasants could rise through the Church hierarchy How wars like the Hundred Years’ War created opportunities for profit How guilds controlled urban wealth and offered pathways for skilled workers Why the Black Death cracked open the feudal system Featured figures & examples: Thomas Becket’s rise from merchant’s son to Archbishop Routiers and mercenary companies during the Hundred Years’ War Francesco Datini, the “Merchant of Prato” The economic impact of guilds in Florence and London
In this video, we explore how some medieval peasants managed to escape poverty and build real wealth—without capitalism, startups, or stock markets. From the rise of the Church as a ladder to power, to the brutal wealth of mercenaries in the Hundred Years’ War, to the hidden influence of guilds and trade, this is the real story of upward mobility in the Middle Ages. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: The Myth of the Helpless Peasant 00:46 - The Church: From Choirboy to Archbishop 03:28 - War & Mercenary Work: Get Paid or Die Trying 05:16 - Guilds & Commerce: Trade Your Way to the Top 06:55 - The Harsh Reality (and Real Possibility) of Upward Mobility What You’ll Learn: How medieval peasants could rise through the Church hierarchy How wars like the Hundred Years’ War created opportunities for profit How guilds controlled urban wealth and offered pathways for skilled workers Why the Black Death cracked open the feudal system Featured figures & examples: Thomas Becket’s rise from merchant’s son to Archbishop Routiers and mercenary companies during the Hundred Years’ War Francesco Datini, the “Merchant of Prato” The economic impact of guilds in Florence and London
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