Jews

thrust away
in miserable hovels
wedged against
one angle of the walls
live the accursed
the Jews

dark haired
dark eyed
people with
oriental physiognomies

exceedingly obsequious
to Christians
but never trusted
by them

bearded men with earrings
woman with bright kerchiefs
of eastern stuffs

each conducts a little shop
where can be bought
the cheapest furniture
household utensils
old clothes

a small stone building
an ancient synagogue
the Jewish colony
as old as the town

small windows
dark grimy interiors
lit by dim lamps

strange ancient books
written in a character
which no Christian
can read
sure blasphemy

endured
abject
compelled to wear
saffron circles
on their breasts
but
they have money
which speaks legions
for dukes and kings

no wonder
for you see
Christians fear usury
but not the Jews
forty, fifty, sixty percent
interest
not unheard of

despised
maltreated
mobbed
every Good Friday
nevertheless
indispensable.

[This verse follows the book cited below. As I am partly Jewish and proud of it, no stereotyping is intended. I would guess the above too simple.]

[Loosely based on a passage in Life on a Mediaeval Barony by W. S. Davis.]

apprentice to master

you'll have your
chance but first
make sure you're
ready

that'll be
three to twelve years
depending

each master
can have
three apprentices
and his son

if you're an apprentice
don't expect too much
- leftover food
- a few knocks here and there
- a cold gable to sleep under
but be patient
your time will come
training is free

once apprenticed
don't change your mind
your master owns you
sleek away
they'll drag you back

for the apprentice
no moment
is his own
less it be a holiday

have faith in the master
for now he's your father
he'll stir you away
from evil
maybe even let you
marry his daughter

once a hired worker
life is better but
not easy
you've got to find
employment
here or there
they'll work you from
five to seven
if it's summer
longer nights
mean more rest

if you wish to be
a real master
then save your money
it's a hearty fee

but when your ready
come to us
here is what we'll
ask you:
a product finer than fine
to show us
what your made of

once satisfied
then soon there after
we'll admit you
but not before
a ceremony
sacred and pompous
we'll initiate you.

[Loosely based on a passage in Life on a Mediaeval Barony by W. S. Davis.]

Guilds

in the town
don't ask whose man
I am
instead ask
to which guild
I belong

remember
some guilds are
older than
town charters

each special industry
goes to the seigneur
here a bishop
who will
for a fee
grant the privilege
of a guild

they say in Paris
there are as many
as 350 professions
each one with a guild

even just a few
shops is enough
for a guild
but many more
is all the better

men's shoes
woman's shoes
children's shoes
each one a guild

if you make your
children's shoes
big enough for
a man or a lady
watch out
we'll sue

if you run a restaurant
don't bake your bread
yourself
that's what bakers do
watch out or we’ll sue

don't open shop
without our consent
less we burn your products
and place you in the pillory

all conditions of labor
are ours to decide
- hours and days of working
- precise quality of goods
- the size of everything
- no night work (unless coffin maker)
- day before festival close at three
- feast day close (unless pastry maker)

Not a union
no sir
all members
are employers

we've each
got our patron saint
and a chapel for her
where we keep our
banner proud
and unfurl her
on the feast days

we're for the lucky
we watch our
flock with tender care
should you die or grow ill
we're there for you
count upon it

if you've ambition
then be an officer
in our guild
you can't do better
once elected you'll
be our flag carrier.


[Loosely based on a passage in Life on a Mediaeval Barony by W. S. Davis.]

shops in town

in good weather
thirty days form Paris to Marseilles
from the good town to Paris
a week in nice weather

if it's needed
for daily life
but can't be made
at home
you'll find it in the good town

little winding streets
each according to
their own art
find your street
and find your needs

glass workers lane
tanners row
butchers street
parchment makers boulevard
Gold smiths court
cloth merchants drive
shoemakers drag
fish parkway
bread byway
wine avenue
wool drag
rope road
cutler way
tailors groove
saddle maker track
coffin maker dead end
pastry roadway

goods are made in the rear
and sold over
a small counter
directly upon the street
where the customer stands
while he drives his bargain

here comes a possible buyer
all attendants shout out
in a terrific uproar
each trying to bawl down
his neighbor
praising his wares
and ready to drag in
any buyers

shout out the worse
about the competition
it's only proper
praise inferior products
but watch out
less a guild officer
come by on his way.



[Loosely based on a passage in Life on a Mediaeval Barony by W. S. Davis.]

town folk

We'll decide
our taxes
market dues
and tolls
so stay away
you nobles
less you've come to shop

we'll hire
our military
and defend our walls
and our officers
will carry our banner
should it come to war

we'll minister
justice our way
with our own magistrates
so you be careful how
try to persuade us

best you take
your money
and leave us be.

[Loosely based on a passage in Life on a Mediaeval Barony by W. S. Davis.]

town bishop

these town folk
think they're
free of me

but I’ve still got them
heresy blasphemy
insults and assaults
are not tolerated
I'll have God
punish you

want to be
married
want your child
saved from
original sin

then don't defy
me.

[Loosely based on a passage in Life on a Mediaeval Barony by W. S. Davis.]

town charter

charter for privileges
a hundred years old

once a village
now a town

once mere serfs
dependent upon
the lord bishop
mere peasants in a field

yet at a crossroad
good for trade
near a river
good for boats

suddenly peasants
became rich men
getting strange ideas
from foreign men

impossible now
to please
they waited for
a chance

the bishop wanted
money for a crusade
rich serfs bought their
charter and became townsmen

they held their
heads high
with pride

unhappy were
the nobles
who once were
their masters
especially the bishop

these serfs
what do they know
thinks the bishop

he revokes
the charter
but too late
men in the streets
shouting
commune commune

the mob that
sacks the
episcopal palace
finds the bishop
in a cask
at the bottom
of the cellar
his fate
a hatchet in the head.

the king sends
in the soldiers
the charter revoked
but not for long
the tides of trade
hard to hold back
soon again
serfs no more.

[Loosely based on a passage in Life on a Mediaeval Barony by W. S. Davis.]

donjon

a high solid tower
dominates
the public square

at its summit
a watchmen
who with first sight
of fire or attack
bells will boom
loud bells
the pride of the town

wide at its base
the donjon houses
the council chambers

one floor above
archives for the town
one floor below
the prisons

city hall
of old.

[Loosely based on a passage in Life on a Mediaeval Barony by W. S. Davis.]

merchant house

rising up from
the crowded market place
a five story building
built of beams
filled with
mortar stucco laths

enter and find storerooms
piled high with oriental goods
powdered spices and carpets
wicker baskets
candles of a funny shape
blasphemous sculptures
masks and chopsticks
tea and tapestries

desks where the master's
clerks are forever busy
doing complicated calculations
money flowing in and
out every day

one story up
you'll find
rooms for the family
neither spacious
nor magnificent
but with comforts
and luxuries unknown
to most castles

higher up you'll
find empty space
quarters for
children
servants
apprentices
an illicit chapel

before the front door
swings
the ensign of the house
a winged snake
enter with caution


[Loosely based on a passage in Life on a Mediaeval Barony by W. S. Davis.]