Development of towns and cities in the Medieval Period

Transition to Modern Times:Development of Towns and

CitiesSocial Living and Global Education

Grade 8

Mr. Joemar T. Magante

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

• In the 11th and 12th century, trade prospered and many new towns and cities emerged in Western Europe.

• Growing European population

• The need for Asian products –spices, silk, sugar and dye revitalizing trade.

• Italian merchants and city-states that controlled the Mediterranean trade (Venice, Genoa, Milan and Pisa)

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Fair

• The lords of the manors organized the fair that served as a meeting place of merchants from different parts of Europe.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Fair

• These gave the lords additional income from rentals, taxes and other fees.

• Fairs are held as a big event every year.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Usage of Money• Fair helped in the

development of the usage of money.

• Money Changers – type of merchant who had stalls which changes money of equal value from merchants who came from other places.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Usage of Money

• They earned profit by charging a fee for this services.

• Other business include safekeeping of money and loan with interest.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Usage of Money

• Simple forms of banking and loans were established.

• Any person can transfer money to different places.

• Anyone can deposit money in one bank, given the receipt is presented as a proof to get the money.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The New Towns and Cities

• Towns and cities are established based on the natural roadways such as river banks.

• Some were founded on the “fords” or river crossings, bridges or dams and walls of forts.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The New Towns and Cities

• They are surrounded by walls for their protection.

• Houses of the wealthy were located inside the walls.

• The outskirts or places outside the town are called “faubourg” which means outside the court or “bourg”

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

Town Government

• Some towns in the feudal system were given permission by the lords to become free.

• It is stated in a contract wherein the rights and duties of the lord and town government were indicated.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Guild System

• People in the town turned their backs on farming.

• They started making accessories, shoes, ropes, candles, clothing, bread and other good needed everyday.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Guild System

• People who made the same goods formed one group called a “guild”.

• Every craft had its own guild.

• If you are not a member of a guild, you cannot make same craft as what the guild does.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Guild System

• To become a member of the guild, a craftsman or artisan must start while still young.

• He will work in 3 to 12 years as an apprentice to a master craftsman.

• An apprentice is a novice, one who is learning trade or craft.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Guild System

• Apprentices live in the house of the master craftsman.

• He will not receive payment but he will only be fed and dressed.

• Next stage is being a journeyman. A journeyman means he has completed the apprenticeship.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Guild System• When he reaches the age of 23, he

could ask to become a member of the guild.

• In order to be accepted, he has to make a masterpiece or excellent sample of his work.

• If this is accepted by the guild, he can now put up his workplace and directly trade.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Rise of the Bourgeoisie

• Bourgeoisie – type of merchant, can be artisans and traders somewhat situated between a farmer and a feudal lord in terms of socio-economic status.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Rise of the Bourgeoisie

• It refers to the middle class of France, England and other European countries.

• Their wealth is based in trade and industry.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

The Rise of the Bourgeoisie

• During the 17th century, the bourgeoisie became a powerful force in Europe.

• They were made up of traders, bankers, investors, ship owners and businessmen.

• They formed alliances with the king against the powerful nobles.

The Restoration of Trade and Development of Towns and Cities

Ladder Web

Rise in Population in Europe