l the sheep. Bears and elk are
also gone.

There were still deer, wild boar, wildcats and wild cattle in vast
forests for the lords to hunt. Wood was used for houses, arms,
carts, bridges, and ships.

The villages were still isolated from each other, so that a
visitor from miles away was treated as warily as a foreigner. Most
people lived and died where they had been born. A person's dialect
indicated his place of origin. The life of the village still
revolved around the church. In some parishes, its activities were
highly organized, with different groups performing different
functions. For example, the matrons looked after a certain altar;
the maidens raised money for a chapel or saw to the gilding of the
images; the older men collected money for church repair; and the
younger men organized the church ales and the church plays. Wills
often left property or rents from leased land to the church. Cows
and sheep given could be leased out to villagers. Buildings given
could be leased out, turned over to the poor, used to brew ale or
bake bread for church ales, or used in general as a place for
church activities. Church ales would usually a good source of
income; alehouses would be closed during the ceremonies and
parishioners would contribute malt for the ale and grain, eggs,
butter, cheese, and fruits.

The largest town, London, had a population of about 70,000. Other
towns had a population less than 20,000. The population was
increasing, but did not reach the level of the period just before
the black death.

In most large towns, there were groups of tailors and hatmakers,
glovers, and other leatherworkers. Some towns had a specialization
due to their proximity to the sources of raw materials, such as
nails, cutlery, and effigies and altars. Despite the spread of
wool manufacturing to the countryside, there was a marked increase
of industry and prosperity in the towns. The principal streets of
the larger towns were paved with gravel. Guild halls became
important and imposing architecturally.

A large area of London was taken up by walled gardens of the
monasteries and large mansions. There were some houses of stone
and timber and some mansions of brick and timber clustered around
palaces. In these, bedrooms increased in number, with rich bed
hangings, linen sheets, and bolsters. Bedspreads were introduced.
Nightgowns were worn. Fireplaces became usual in all the rooms.
Tapestries covered the walls. Carpets were us