The Height of Medieval Civilization
Revival of Trade
 barbarian invasions and feudal warfare declined
 wool was the basis for the new trade
 Italians built new fleets
Trade Fairs
 weeks-long fairs that included goods from Western Europe, Russia, and Asia
Hanseatic League
 80 North German cities banded together for trade purposes
 the league used its large fleet to clear the North Atlantic of pirates and to trade with England
 the league used its forces to gain control of the land trade between Germany and Italy
Growth of Towns
 old towns along trade and water routes began to flourish
 as town populations increased, artisans and smiths set up shops to provide the townspeople
with goods and services
 coined money began to resurface
 since towns were generally located on a lord’s manor, the townspeople sought an agreement
with the lord (charter)
 charters allowed the townspeople to govern their own affairs, but the lord made money on the
town through rent, fees, and taxes
 serfs, who worked in town for a specified period of time, became free
 towns raised their own militia for protection, but were required to assist the lord in times of
war
Emergence of a Middle Class
 not nobles, not peasants
 called bourgeoisie in France, burgesses in England, burghers in Germany
Medieval Guilds
 guilds were associations of merchants and artisans that governed the town
 guilds set prices and wages and maintained standards of quality on goods
 craft guilds were comprised of only artisans (ex: weavers or shoemakers)
 only members of the guild could set up shop in town
 craft guilds provided additional benefits to its members (ex: loans, social events)
 to prevent an oversupply of goods, craft guilds restricted membership (usually father to son)
 a master craftsman trained new members (apprentice to journeyman to master)
Town Life
 center of town – church, wealthy citizens, and open square
 perimeter of town was a thick, stone wall
 between the two, common citizens had their homes and shops
 business districts divided the town (hats, shoes, clothing were all separated)
 dangers – theft and assault
 more danger - fires
 yet more dangers – poor sanitation and disease (smallpox and typhoid)