ChapterChapter 26 26 The Rise of The Rise of TownsTownsWords, Terms and People to KnowWords, Terms and People to Know

• WaresWares

• MasterMaster• BurgBurg• JourneymanJourneyman• ChartersCharters• GuildGuild

• FairsFairs• BurghersBurghers• CommunesCommunes• Dante’s Divine Dante’s Divine

ComedyComedy• Chaucer’s Chaucer’s

Canterbury Canterbury TalesTales

ChapterChapter 26 26

• Rise of Trade Rise of Trade and Townsand Towns

• 500 A.D.—1400 500 A.D.—1400 A.D.A.D.

Section one: Section one: discusses how the discusses how the growth of trade led growth of trade led to the rise of towns to the rise of towns in the Middle Ages, in the Middle Ages, focusing onfocusing on Venice and Venice and FlandersFlanders..

Why The Crusades Why The Crusades Matter Matter (as a graphic organizer!)(as a graphic organizer!)

TurksTurks gain control of Palestine (the Holy Land) and threaten Constantinople. Why those guys!!!! WE oughta….

And they DO …as the emperor asks the Pope for help. Urban II says “You BET YA!”

Pope Urban asks European lords- and everyone else-to free the Holy Lands from the Turks. Offering freedom from church taxes and a free ticket to heaven the people begin to

move!

Thousands of Europeans (many of them serfs) take up the cause and are exposed to new areas, ideas, and commodities- sparking a new interest in trade and town

life. AND…

BOOM! The Feudal order starts to unraveland Europe emergesfrom the Dark Ages.

The Revival of TradeThe Revival of TradeItalian ships brought

goods back from Asia and Venice

prospers. Viking ships brought Asian goods to

northern Europe.

The Hanseatic League set up trading posts.

Flanders became a meeting center of

different trade routes. The next thing you know…

The Crusades stimulated trade.

Revival of Trade

•BOOM! You’ve got…

Well,…at least, places to buy things and things to buy-- Which means you need money!

Three functions of money

1. Money serves as a convenient medium of exchange. People can trade money for goods and services

2. Money serves as a measure of value3. Money serves a s store of value—which means that people can hold their wealth in the form of money until they are ready to use it.

Medieval DemographicsMedieval Demographics

•The population levels The population levels of Europe during the of Europe during the Middle Ages can be Middle Ages can be roughly categorized:roughly categorized:

•400-1000:400-1000: stable at a stable at a low level.low level.

•1000-12501000-1250: population : population boom and expansionboom and expansion.. (end (end

of foreign invasion and good weather)of foreign invasion and good weather)

Medieval DemographicsMedieval Demographics

•1250-1350:1250-1350: stable at very stable at very high level.high level.

•1350-14201350-1420 steep declinesteep decline

•1420-1470:1420-1470: stable at a stable at a low levellow level

•1470-onward1470-onward:: slow slow expansion gaining momentum in expansion gaining momentum in the earlythe early 16th century.16th century.

Town or City?Town or City?

•TechnicallyTechnically speaking, during speaking, during the middle ages the difference the middle ages the difference was was notnot one one of of sizesize but rather but rather one of- did a bishop have his one of- did a bishop have his seat there? Aseat there? A CityCity had a had a bishopbishop and a cathedraland a cathedral with with its dependent population.its dependent population.

•A A “town”“town” was an urban center was an urban center without without a bishopa bishop..

1170 Archbishop Thomas Becket

was murdered in the Cathedral

Dalton. A town or a city?

Using the definitions here—a town!

What makes a place a What makes a place a "town"?"town"?• Some scholars say that to have a Some scholars say that to have a

town you need atown you need a marketmarket, a, a charter charter (a legal document granting rights (a legal document granting rights or privileges) and aor privileges) and a jury of 12.jury of 12. Others will say that you need Others will say that you need burghers and a mayor instead of a burghers and a mayor instead of a reeve (reeve (English official elected English official elected annually by the serfs to supervise lands annually by the serfs to supervise lands for a lordfor a lord a reeve looked after a reeve looked after the the affairs in theaffairs in the medieval village medieval village), ), and and defenses,defenses, such as a such as a town wall.town wall.

Dalton. A town?

Using the definitions here— probably not as it

lacks a wall--or defenses.

What makes a place a What makes a place a "town"?"town"?• Some elements shared by many medieval towns Some elements shared by many medieval towns (UN)(UN)

in in (U.S.)(U.S.)England England (other areas had different elements in common):(other areas had different elements in common):

• DefensesDefenses—most medieval cities are walled & —most medieval cities are walled & have Street grid have Street grid

• Markets and fairsMarkets and fairs • Mint Mint (where you make coins) (where you make coins) • A CharterA Charter from the king, allowing a market or from the king, allowing a market or

fair fair • Religious organizationReligious organization (cathedral, (cathedral,

monastery, churches…) monastery, churches…) • PopulationPopulation (you couldn’t have a town with 20 (you couldn’t have a town with 20

people) people) • Judicial CenterJudicial Center (law court) (law court)

• Housing Housing • Shops Shops and production of goods and production of goods (craft people (craft people

organized into guilds)organized into guilds) defines a town as defines a town as “a place “a place that supported a wide range of professions” that supported a wide range of professions” Professor C. Dyer University of LeicesterProfessor C. Dyer University of Leicester

Depends upon the where and the when it is located. excerpt

“Standard definitions of metropolitan areas were first issued in 1949 by the then Bureau of the Budget (predecessor of OMB), under the designation "standard metropolitan area" (SMA). The term was changed to "standard metropolitan statistical area" (SMSA) in 1959, and to "metropolitan statistical area" (MSA) in 1983. The term "metropolitan area" (MA) was adopted in 1990 and referred collectively to metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), consolidated metropolitan statistical areas (CMSAs), and primary metropolitan statistical areas (PMSAs). The term "core based statistical area" (CBSA) became effective in 2000 and refers collectively to metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas.

OMB has been responsible for the official metropolitan areas since they were first defined, except for the period 1977 to 1981, when they were the responsibility of the Office of Federal Statistical Policy and Standards, Department of Commerce. The standards for defining metropolitan areas were modified in 1958, 1971, 1975, 1980, 1990, and 2000.

Defining Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas

The 2000 standards provide that each CBSA must contain at least one urban area of 10,000 or more population. Each metropolitan statistical area must have at least one urbanized area of 50,000 or more inhabitants. Each micropolitan statistical area must have at least one urban cluster of at least 10,000 but less than 50,000 population…”

Thank you for clarifying what’s a town, …or a MSA (Micropolitan Statistical Area)… Census Bureau!!!

The Growth of TownsThe Growth of Towns

Serfs could now leave for towns(during periods of surplus Population they were encouraged to leave for towns.

Town Growth Helped by Decline of Serfdom caused by:

Serfs could earn money by selling crops to townspeople.

Changing agricultural methods pushed them off the land.

The Black Death killed many people in Europe so the demand for workers increased.

I. Trading Centers I. Trading Centers • A. located on important sea routes A. located on important sea routes

connecting Europe with Mediterranean connecting Europe with Mediterranean Sea, Russia And ScandinaviaSea, Russia And Scandinavia

• B. VeniceB. Venice• Places to Locate:Places to Locate: VeniceVenice , , FlandersFlanders

– 1. founded in 500s by people fleeing Germans1. founded in 500s by people fleeing Germans– 2. Venetians had to depend on sea for living2. Venetians had to depend on sea for living– 3. fished, produced salt from seawater in 3. fished, produced salt from seawater in

exchange for wheat, wine, and slaves to exchange for wheat, wine, and slaves to Byzantines for fabrics and spices.Byzantines for fabrics and spices.

– 4. During 1100s Venice a leading port city4. During 1100s Venice a leading port city– 5. Venice’s prosperity spreads to other parts 5. Venice’s prosperity spreads to other parts

of Italyof Italy– 6. The navies of Italian trading towns drove 6. The navies of Italian trading towns drove

the Muslims from the Mediterraneanthe Muslims from the Mediterranean– 7. Opened the Near East to Europeans7. Opened the Near East to Europeans– 8. Italian trading towns quarreled and lost 8. Italian trading towns quarreled and lost

much trade to towns along Europe’s Atlantic much trade to towns along Europe’s Atlantic coast.coast.

Maritime Republics of Venice, Genoa, and a handful of others developed their own "empires" in the Mediterranean shores. From the 8th until the 15th century, they held the monopoly of European trade with the Middle East. Venedig is German for Venice as is Genua for Genoa

Run Time: [03:21] Run Time: [03:21] Explains how the Venetian ship and merchant industry provided for a link between Explains how the Venetian ship and merchant industry provided for a link between

Europe and the Orient, mentioning the travels of Marco Polo, and the impact of the link Europe and the Orient, mentioning the travels of Marco Polo, and the impact of the link on the Renaissance and the Crusadeson the Renaissance and the Crusades

Compiègne—meeting city of trade

Law Merchant: the body of customary rules and principles relating to merchants and mercantile transactions and adopted by traders themselves for the purpose of regulating their dealings. Initially, it was administered for the most part in special quasi-judicial courts, such as those of the guilds in Italy and, later, regularly constituted courts in England

I. continuedI. continued• C. FlandersC. Flanders • 1. Today part of Belgium1. Today part of Belgium

– 2. raised sheep and produced wool for 2. raised sheep and produced wool for weaving industryweaving industry

– 3. earliest Atlantic trading center3. earliest Atlantic trading center– 4. build harbors where their rivers met4. build harbors where their rivers met– 5. by 1300 the most important trading 5. by 1300 the most important trading

partner was Londonpartner was London• a.) relied on English shepherds to a.) relied on English shepherds to

supply wool which they turned into supply wool which they turned into cloth which they sold back to Englandcloth which they sold back to England

• • Prior to the rise Prior to the rise

of Flanders the of Flanders the Hanseatic Hanseatic League League controlled most controlled most of the trade of the trade along Northern along Northern Europe.Europe.

Hanseatic League: mercantile league of medieval German towns. It was amorphous in character; its origin cannot be dated exactly. Originally a Hansa was a company of merchants trading with foreign lands. A major impetus to the league's development was the lack of a powerful German national government to provide security for trade. In order to obtain mutual security, exclusive trading rights, and, wherever possible, trade monopoly, the towns drew closer together.The Hanseatic League declined because it lacked any centralized power with which to withstand the new and more powerful nation-states forming on its borders. The Dutch (Flanders) were growing in mercantile and industrial strength, and in the 15th century they were able to oust German traders from Dutch domestic markets and the North Sea region as a whole. By the mid-16th century, Dutch ships had even won control of the carrying trade from the Baltic to the west, dealing a serious blow to Lübeck. The league died slowly as England contested with the Netherlands for dominance in northern European commerce and Sweden emerged as the chief commercial power in the Baltic Sea region. The Hanseatic League’s diet met for the last time in 1669.

Section Two:Section Two: tells how merchants became an tells how merchants became an important part of European life and important part of European life and development and contributed to the growth of development and contributed to the growth of burgs.burgs.• II. MerchantsII. Merchants• A. Merchants became an important part A. Merchants became an important part

of European lifeof European life• B. First merchants were adventurers B. First merchants were adventurers

who traveled in groups for protectionwho traveled in groups for protection• C. Fairs C. Fairs

– 1. fairs1. fairs were sponsored by nobles who were sponsored by nobles who collected taxes on salescollected taxes on sales

– 2. held once a year for a few weeks at 2. held once a year for a few weeks at selected placesselected places

– 3. precious metals begin to replace 3. precious metals begin to replace barteringbartering

– 4. coins of different countries were tested 4. coins of different countries were tested on benches to determine their value.on benches to determine their value. Banc, Banc, or bench comes the English word bankor bench comes the English word bank

The Latin world “feria” meaning holy day was the origin of the word “fair.” Each feria was a day when large numbers of people would assemble for worship. The commerce and trade of the Medieval fairs meant money.  The church took an active part in sponsoring fairs on feast days, and as a result, fairs came to be an important source of revenue for the church. Commerce, by way of the Medieval fairs and religion became closely entwined.

With the increased economic activity of the Middle Ages, there was a growing need for money exchange and the conversion of coins. Money changers were soon holding and transferring large sums of money and extending loans to merchants. As the demand increased, so did the number of services. Common financial activities came to include granting loans, investing, as well as most of the deposit, credit and transfer functions of a modern bank. (The Money Lender and his Wife 1514)

MarketMarket

• Trade fairs not attended by average personTrade fairs not attended by average person

• Generally Generally places for sales between merchantsplaces for sales between merchants

• For everyday needs, For everyday needs, people visited local people visited local marketsmarkets

• Local markets sold locally-produced goodsLocal markets sold locally-produced goods

Times and LocationsTimes and Locations

• Trade fairs usually Trade fairs usually held once a year, specific held once a year, specific locationslocations

• Some trade fairs Some trade fairs lasted for monthslasted for months

• Schedule Schedule staggeredstaggered so merchants could travel so merchants could travel from one to anotherfrom one to another

• Some merchants spent Some merchants spent most of time on roadmost of time on road

II. continuedII. continued• D. The Growth of townsD. The Growth of towns

– 1. Merchants chose places where they can 1. Merchants chose places where they can permanently store their permanently store their goods (wares)goods (wares)

– 2. chose places along trade routes or road 2. chose places along trade routes or road crossingscrossings

– 3. settle close to a castle or monastery3. settle close to a castle or monastery– 4. surrounded settlements with high 4. surrounded settlements with high

stake fences and moatsstake fences and moats– 5. Germans called castle 5. Germans called castle burgsburgs..

Towns came to be called burgs because Towns came to be called burgs because they were often located near castles.they were often located near castles.

– 6. Once a week, nobles and peasants sold 6. Once a week, nobles and peasants sold food for goods they could not makefood for goods they could not make

– 7. artisans came to find work and bring 7. artisans came to find work and bring their families an towns become place their families an towns become place people live and not just work or sellpeople live and not just work or sell

Section Three:Section Three: describes the living describes the living conditions in medieval towns before conditions in medieval towns before and after the changes brought about by and after the changes brought about by burghers.burghers.• III. Living ConditionsIII. Living Conditions

– A. By 1200s towns replace fences A. By 1200s towns replace fences with walls and towerswith walls and towers

– B. Crowded unhealthy places with B. Crowded unhealthy places with open sewers and narrow streetsopen sewers and narrow streets

– C. 1300s rats came to Europe on C. 1300s rats came to Europe on trading ships from the middle easttrading ships from the middle east

– D. Black death kills millions (roughly D. Black death kills millions (roughly 1/3rd of the total population)1/3rd of the total population)

– E. People flee to the countrysideE. People flee to the countryside

LIFE EXPECTANCY IN MEDIEVAL TOWNS

All residents, whether rich or poor, faced the same general environmental conditions and threats, including the constant fear of sickness and life-threatening diseases. Average life expectancy for all groups was low. Archaeological evidence

shows an average adult life expectancy of thirty-five for males and thirty-one for females. England’s infant mortality rate was extremely high.

The plague was to visit England at least thirty times between

1348, the year of the Black Death, and 1485. Other common urban diseases included tuberculosis, dysentry and smallpox. As an example, Dartford England’s residents faced famine in 1391 due to an acute shortage of corn. Townspeople were forced to make bread from fern roots; their survival depended on an emergency diet of nuts and apples. All sections of Dartford’s community were economically inter-dependent. If trade slumped or crops failed everybody was affected.

Ebgate Lane

And…the next

thing you know- BOOM you have my old college dorm room

Seriously BOOMIt was a mess!

My college room mate was a real PIG!

BOOMBOOM!

I hated that GUY!

Sorry I had some left over explosives I needed to get rid of.

According to today’s standards, the cities that grew up According to today’s standards, the cities that grew up in Europe and the Middle Ages were in Europe and the Middle Ages were small and small and crowdedcrowded. At times, life in these cities could be very . At times, life in these cities could be very unpleasant.unpleasant.

• Were narrow, winding

• Shops, houses lined both sides

• High buildings blocked sunlight

• Crowded with people, animals

• Sanitation bad

Streets• Made medieval

cities dangerous

• Air hazy with smoke from cooking, tanneries

• Most buildings made of wood, straw roofs

• Violence common

Fire and Crime• Churches, eating

halls, markets

• Guilds provided plays, public entertainment, and festivals

• Sports common

• Guilds competed against each other

Some Benefits

Daily Life in CitiesDaily Life in CitiesStocks are devices used in the medieval times as a form of physical punishment involving public humiliation. The stocks partially immobilized its victims and they were often exposed in a public place such as the site of a market to the scorn of those who passed by. Since the purpose was to punish offenders against the standards of conduct of the time, anybody could assault, revile or aim filth at the victim.

The GibbetGibbeting was common law punishment, which a judge could impose in addition to execution. This practice was regularized in England by the Murder Act 1752, which empowered judges to impose this for murder. It was most often used for traitors, murderers, highwaymen, pirates, and sheep-stealers, and was intended to discourage others from committing similar offences. The structures were therefore often placed next to public highways (frequently at crossroads) and waterways. There are many places named Gibbet Hill in England.

Late Medieval Town DwellingsLate Medieval Town DwellingsLate Medieval Town DwellingsLate Medieval Town Dwellings

Marketplace of Tubingen, Germany

Village houses in Kellerei, Germany

A timber-framed house is one whose substantial timbers are joined to form an open rigid frame which supports the roof. With box frame construction there are additional posts and rails that form the frame of the wall, the intervening spaces (infilling) being filled with (often light-weight) material to provide weather-proofing.

Medieval Homes• Medieval city homes between the rich and poor

differed little from the outside, each being made of the same stone brought in from nearby quarries. But the inside accommodations were far more telling. A poor family might be cramped into one room, faring little better than peasants in the country, while rich "burger" families might occupy four floors, from cellar to attic, complete with servant quarters.

• Comfort was not always easy to find, even in the wealthiest of households. Heating was always a problem with stone floors, ceiling and walls. Little light came in from narrow windows, and oil and fat-based candles often produced a pungent aroma. Furniture consisted of wooden benches, long tables, cupboards and pantries. Linen, when afforded, might be glued or nailed to benches to provide some comfort. Beds, though made of the softest materials, were often rife with bedbugs, lice and other biting insects. Some tried to counter this by tucking in sheets at nighttime in hopes of smothering the pests, while others rubbed oily liniments on their skin before retiring.

The Medieval Game of The Medieval Game of LifeLifehttp://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/EventsExhibitions/Permanent/medieval/Games/Apprentice.htm

http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/Explore-online/Games/GamesIntroductions/The+Medieval+Game+of+Life+Introduction.htm

Medieval School—LondonMedieval School—Londonhttp://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/London-Wall/Whats-on/Galleries/medieval/http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/London-Wall/Whats-on/Galleries/medieval/

Games/Game+1.htmGames/Game+1.htm

http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/London-Wall/Whats-on/Galleries/medieval/http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/London-Wall/Whats-on/Galleries/medieval/Games/Game+2.htmGames/Game+2.htm

• Could you standCould you stand

the beatings?the beatings?

Shopping Spree?Shopping Spree?

III. ContinuedIII. Continued• F. BurgherF. Burgher Life Life

– 1. at first merchants, artisans and workers who lived in 1. at first merchants, artisans and workers who lived in towns were all called burghers. towns were all called burghers. Later the title Later the title burgher burgher was used to refer to the rich merchantswas used to refer to the rich merchants

– 2. day starts with prayers at dawn2. day starts with prayers at dawn– 3. meets with business partners3. meets with business partners– 4. burgher’s wife kept house, managed servants and 4. burgher’s wife kept house, managed servants and

cared for childrencared for children– 5. two large meals a day5. two large meals a day

• G. Changing WaysG. Changing Ways– 1. Under feudal system land was owned by kings and 1. Under feudal system land was owned by kings and

nobles who taxed the people in the townsnobles who taxed the people in the towns– 2. 2. Nobles viewed the rise of towns as a threat to their Nobles viewed the rise of towns as a threat to their

powerpower and the people of the towns resented the many and the people of the towns resented the many feudal lawsfeudal laws

– 3. Church against towns as they feared profit making 3. Church against towns as they feared profit making would take people away from religionwould take people away from religion

– 4. Burghers had wealth and power and depend less on 4. Burghers had wealth and power and depend less on nobles and bishopsnobles and bishops

• a.) work together to build schools, hospitals and churchesa.) work together to build schools, hospitals and churches

Although generally not aristocrats or nobles, medieval burghers enjoyed a special legal and economic status because they were citizens of a particular town. To become a citizen in many medieval towns, a person had to be male or born into a citizen family, reside in the city a certain number of years, be engaged in a respectable business, pay a substantial entry fee, and have other citizens vouch for his character. By no means was every resident of a medieval city a citizen, and the exact percentage varied from place to place. Moreover, although their status might not be documented officially, burghers were often a special class of citizen. Generally the most prosperous, prestigious, and politically influential citizens, urban burghers dominated their towns, becoming almost urban lords.

III. continuedIII. continued

• H. Communes and ChartersH. Communes and Charters– 1. 1. 1100s towns in northern Italy 1100s towns in northern Italy

form political groups called form political groups called communes communes (examples(examplesVeniceVenice, Milan, , Milan, Genoa, Pisa, Genoa, Pisa, FlorenceFlorence, Siena), Siena)

– a.) purpose to work against nobles and church a.) purpose to work against nobles and church to gain self-governmentto gain self-government

– 2. Some kings and nobles gave towns 2. Some kings and nobles gave towns

people people charterscharters chartercharter allowing allowing them to run their own affairs.them to run their own affairs.

– 3. elect officials to run their towns3. elect officials to run their towns– 4. set up courts and punish criminals4. set up courts and punish criminals

Siena.

I, William, by the grace of God, Count of Flanders, not wishing to reject the petition of the citizens of St. Omer---especially as they have willingly received my petition about the consulate of Flanders, and because they have always been honest and faithful to me---grant them the laws written below, and command that those laws remain inviolate.

1. First that to every man I will show peace, and I will protect and defend them with good will just as I do my other men. And I grant that justice be done to all of them by my bailiffs, and I wish that they do justice to me also. I grant liberty to my bailiffs such as my other bailiffs have. 26 items followed

William Clito, Count of Flanders: Charter for Town of St. Omer, 1127

Section Four:Section Four: focuses on the rise of craft focuses on the rise of craft guilds, explaining why they were formed and guilds, explaining why they were formed and why they were later opposedwhy they were later opposed

• IV. The Rise of GuildsIV. The Rise of Guilds• A. 1100s , merchants artisans and workers A. 1100s , merchants artisans and workers

form guilds to make sure their members form guilds to make sure their members were treated fairlywere treated fairly

• B. Craft guilds controlled the work of B. Craft guilds controlled the work of artisans.artisans.

• C. Guild members were not allowed to C. Guild members were not allowed to compete or advertise.compete or advertise.– 1. worked same hours, hire same number of 1. worked same hours, hire same number of

workers and paid same wagesworkers and paid same wages– 2. Guilds controlled all business and trade in a 2. Guilds controlled all business and trade in a

towntown– 3. decided fair price for a product or service3. decided fair price for a product or service– 4. guild members who sold a substandard good 4. guild members who sold a substandard good

could be finedcould be fined– 5. Guilds provided food to members who 5. Guilds provided food to members who

became too ill to work and provided other became too ill to work and provided other services. services. The main interest of the medieval The main interest of the medieval guild was to protect their members!guild was to protect their members!

A baker caught trying to cheat customers is punished by being dragged around the community on a sleigh with the offending loaf of bread tied around his neck.

Crest of a Cooper’s GuildCrest of a Cooper’s GuildCrest of a Cooper’s GuildCrest of a Cooper’s Guild

Medieval TradeMedieval TradeMedieval TradeMedieval Trade

IV. Cont.IV. Cont.

• DD. Job Training. Job Training

– 11. Apprentice. Apprentice for two to seven for two to seven yearsyears

– 2. taught by 2. taught by masters masters – 3. 3. journeyman was paid daily journeyman was paid daily

wages and worked under a masterwages and worked under a master – 4. created a masterpiece and 4. created a masterpiece and

passed a test to become a masterpassed a test to become a master– 5. by 1400 many merchants and 5. by 1400 many merchants and

artisans begin to challenge the artisans begin to challenge the guilds.guilds.

Section Five:Section Five: discusses the cultural changes that took place to discusses the cultural changes that took place to European civilization during the 1400s, focusing on advances European civilization during the 1400s, focusing on advances in education, art, and literaturein education, art, and literature

• V. Cultural ChangesV. Cultural Changes– A. During the 1400s merchants, artisans and bankers became A. During the 1400s merchants, artisans and bankers became

more important than they had been in the past and their growing more important than they had been in the past and their growing power led to the decline of feudalismpower led to the decline of feudalism

– B. Many towns people were richer than the noblesB. Many towns people were richer than the nobles– C. Townspeople had more leisure time and money to spendC. Townspeople had more leisure time and money to spend– D. Hired private teachersD. Hired private teachers– E. Sons went to universities to study law, religion and medicine.E. Sons went to universities to study law, religion and medicine.– F. F. Most townspeople used languages like German, French and Most townspeople used languages like German, French and

EnglishEnglish– G. Dante writes the G. Dante writes the Divine Comedy Divine Comedy in in ItalianItalian – H. Geoffrey Chaucer writes the H. Geoffrey Chaucer writes the Canterbury Canterbury Tales in Tales in EnglishEnglish– I. Townspeople begin to think they should be free to I. Townspeople begin to think they should be free to develop their talents and improve their way of life.develop their talents and improve their way of life.– J. Want a strong central government to provide leadership J. Want a strong central government to provide leadership and protectionand protection– Fini! (Fini! (Adjective finished; through; at an end)

– Origin: Fr

Death mask of Dante Alighieri ?

The Divine Comedy is composed of over 14,000 lines that are divided into three parts— Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise) — each consisting of 33 cantos.

The poem is written in the first person, and tells of Dante's journey through the three realms of the dead, lasting from the night before Good Friday to the Wednesday after Easter in the spring of 1300. The Roman poet Virgil guides him through Hell and Purgatory; Beatrice, Dante's ideal woman, guides him through Heaven. Beatrice was a Florentine woman whom he had met in childhood and admired from afar in the mode of the then-fashionable courtly love tradition which is highlighted in Dante's earlier work La Vita Nuova.

Dante shown holding a copy of the Divine Comedy, next to the entrance to Hell, the seven terraces of Mount Purgatory and the city of Florence, with the spheres of Heaven above, in Michelino's fresco.

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written in Middle-English by Geoffrey Chaucer at the end of the 14th century. The tales are told as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together on a journey from Southwark to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. It is a towering achievement of Western culture. He uses the tales and the descriptions of the characters to paint an ironic and critical portrait of English society at the time, and particularly of the Church.

And soAnd so… … to Summarize to Summarize Medieval Towns:Medieval Towns:

• 1. Town life was distinct from 1. Town life was distinct from country life; the two were country life; the two were separate, though interdependent, separate, though interdependent, worlds. There were many worlds. There were many manifestations of rural life in the manifestations of rural life in the city:city: gardens, herds of livestock, gardens, herds of livestock, even farms within the city walls. even farms within the city walls. Yet townsmen saw themselves as Yet townsmen saw themselves as distinct from country folk, and distinct from country folk, and country folk viewed the cities country folk viewed the cities with suspicion and envy.with suspicion and envy.

• 2. Towns were much smaller than 2. Towns were much smaller than what we're used to in industrialized what we're used to in industrialized societies. Most towns were only a few societies. Most towns were only a few thousand people. Even thousand people. Even the big cities the big cities can be measured in the tens of can be measured in the tens of thousands, while a mere handful thousands, while a mere handful reached one or two hundred thousand. reached one or two hundred thousand. Paris, Milan, Naples, Venice, and not Paris, Milan, Naples, Venice, and not much more, and even then only in the much more, and even then only in the 1200s and 1300s. After 1350, the 1200s and 1300s. After 1350, the plague greatly reduced the size of the plague greatly reduced the size of the big cities. The largest city on the big cities. The largest city on the continent of Europe was continent of Europe was Constantinople, with about 400,000.Constantinople, with about 400,000.

• 3. A town could be, and often 3. A town could be, and often was, defined legally in the Middle was, defined legally in the Middle Ages. From around 1100 or so, Ages. From around 1100 or so, towns started to get charters from towns started to get charters from a bishop, a great a bishop, a great lord, or a king. lord, or a king. The charters varied greatly, but The charters varied greatly, but commonly authorized the town to commonly authorized the town to form its own city council and to form its own city council and to regulate certain aspects of city regulate certain aspects of city life. Thus the towns after that life. Thus the towns after that period had a legal identity within period had a legal identity within society and before the law, much society and before the law, much the same way a modern the same way a modern corporation doescorporation does..

• CitizenshipCitizenship

• 4. Those who were citizens formed 4. Those who were citizens formed perhaps half the population, though perhaps half the population, though sometimes they sometimes they were as little as 10 or 15 were as little as 10 or 15 percent. The citizenry were the skilled percent. The citizenry were the skilled tradesmen and the merchants, the tradesmen and the merchants, the economic lifeblood of the city. economic lifeblood of the city. Citizenship was generally only inherited, Citizenship was generally only inherited, but it could be granted to individuals or but it could be granted to individuals or to families, usually as a recognition for to families, usually as a recognition for some extraordinary service to the city. By some extraordinary service to the city. By the later Middle Ages, guild membership the later Middle Ages, guild membership and citizenship went hand in hand. In and citizenship went hand in hand. In Florence, for example, membership in a Florence, for example, membership in a guild was a requirement of citizenship.guild was a requirement of citizenship.

•5. Everyone knew who the 5. Everyone knew who the citizens were, for they annually citizens were, for they annually swore an oath of swore an oath of loyalty to the loyalty to the city. They would gather in one of city. They would gather in one of the city plazas, often in front of the city plazas, often in front of the town hall, and there repeat the town hall, and there repeat the oath out loud, for everyone the oath out loud, for everyone to see. This served the double to see. This served the double purpose of binding the citizens purpose of binding the citizens and of letting everyone else see and of letting everyone else see who were recognized as citizens.who were recognized as citizens.

• 6. Citizenship brought privileges but 6. Citizenship brought privileges but also brought obligations. They were also brought obligations. They were required to serve in fire brigades and required to serve in fire brigades and street patrols. In street patrols. In times of war they times of war they manned the walls and served in the manned the walls and served in the city militia. Only citizens had to pay city militia. Only citizens had to pay taxes. On the other hand, they were taxes. On the other hand, they were legally protected and often could only legally protected and often could only be tried in the town courts.be tried in the town courts.

• 7. The citizens were the real 7. The citizens were the real caretakers of the city's prestige and caretakers of the city's prestige and reputation, ethics and the common reputation, ethics and the common weal.weal.

• OutsidersOutsiders• 8. Among those who were 8. Among those who were

usually not usually not citizens were the citizens were the clergy. Though they were still clergy. Though they were still privileged and prestigious privileged and prestigious members of the community. members of the community. The nobility were sometimes The nobility were sometimes allowed to be citizens, allowed to be citizens, sometimes were required (in sometimes were required (in Italy) to be citizens, and Italy) to be citizens, and sometimes were forbidden sometimes were forbidden citizenship.citizenship.

•9. Others who were not 9. Others who were not allowed to be citizens allowed to be citizens were the Jews. were the Jews. They were They were tolerated usually, tolerated usually, persecuted sometimes, persecuted sometimes, but the Jewish but the Jewish communities often communities often fulfilled necessary fulfilled necessary functions.functions.

•10. And then there were, the 10. And then there were, the people without honor. These people without honor. These included the included the hangman, hangman, gravediggers, and prostitutes. gravediggers, and prostitutes. These were all recognized and These were all recognized and legitimate professions, but legitimate professions, but they were socially repugnant they were socially repugnant and these people were never and these people were never allowed to be citizens.allowed to be citizens.

Rights and PrivilegesRights and Privileges•11. Personal freedom was vitally 11. Personal freedom was vitally

important to anyone who lived in important to anyone who lived in a a town and was widely regarded town and was widely regarded as an essential element of town as an essential element of town life. A townsman had to be free life. A townsman had to be free from the obligations that bound from the obligations that bound a peasant, and must be free also a peasant, and must be free also from the arbitrary taxation to from the arbitrary taxation to which a peasant was subject. A which a peasant was subject. A merchant, moreover, must be merchant, moreover, must be free to move from place to place, free to move from place to place, while a villein had no right to while a villein had no right to leave his lord's land.leave his lord's land.

•12. The city itself, as a 12. The city itself, as a corporation, had freedom too. corporation, had freedom too. The city flourished best when The city flourished best when free from feudal lords, though free from feudal lords, though some cities were ruled by some cities were ruled by bishops or barons. Even so, bishops or barons. Even so, cities needed to manage their cities needed to manage their own legal affairs and their own legal affairs and their own fiscal affairs.own fiscal affairs.

•13. The political history of 13. The political history of many cities in the 1100s many cities in the 1100s and 1200s is and 1200s is dominated by dominated by their struggles with their their struggles with their feudal overlords, bishop or feudal overlords, bishop or baron. The final product baron. The final product was often a charter of was often a charter of liberties that spelled out liberties that spelled out the exemptions and rights the exemptions and rights the city, and its citizens, the city, and its citizens, would enjoy.would enjoy.

•14. Cities often bought their 14. Cities often bought their freedom by paying their lord freedom by paying their lord for a for a charter of liberties. charter of liberties. Later, as the profits of urban Later, as the profits of urban centers became apparent, centers became apparent, lords encouraged the lords encouraged the founding of cities by granting founding of cities by granting privileges to some settlement privileges to some settlement whose growth he hoped to whose growth he hoped to encourage.encourage.

• 15. 15. The charter usually The charter usually stipulated that everyone living stipulated that everyone living in the town would be free. A in the town would be free. A widespread custom was that widespread custom was that anyone who lived in the town anyone who lived in the town for a year and a day would for a year and a day would become free. The Germans had become free. The Germans had a saying: a saying: Stadtluft macht freiStadtluft macht frei: : "city air makes one free", a "city air makes one free", a saying that illustrates the role saying that illustrates the role played by towns in this regard.played by towns in this regard.

• 16. Other elements of city charters 16. Other elements of city charters might include: Landholding was to be might include: Landholding was to be by lease and by lease and rent, not by feudal rent, not by feudal tenure. Freedom from taxation was tenure. Freedom from taxation was achieved by fixing limits to what the achieved by fixing limits to what the lord would levy. Freedom from tolls on lord would levy. Freedom from tolls on bridges in the lord's lands; freedom bridges in the lord's lands; freedom from sales taxes levied by the lord on from sales taxes levied by the lord on his other subjects; freedom from the his other subjects; freedom from the lord's courts -- a burger could be tried lord's courts -- a burger could be tried only in the courts of his home town; only in the courts of his home town; right to their own merchant courts right to their own merchant courts (these were commercial courts, but (these were commercial courts, but were sometimes given jurisdiction were sometimes given jurisdiction over low justice).over low justice).

• 1717. There was a bewildering . There was a bewildering variety to town governments, variety to town governments, yet there were yet there were common common elements. Most had some sort elements. Most had some sort of chief executive. His powers of chief executive. His powers might vary widely, but some might vary widely, but some such office as Mayor (from the such office as Mayor (from the Latin Latin maiormaior which simply means which simply means "greater") existed in nearly "greater") existed in nearly every town. The Mayor—by every town. The Mayor—by whatever title—might be elected whatever title—might be elected or appointed, but it was unusual or appointed, but it was unusual to find no such office at all.to find no such office at all.

•18. There was normally 18. There was normally one or one or more councils, and more councils, and these were vital. A Mayor these were vital. A Mayor might be a powerful might be a powerful figure or merely a figure or merely a figurehead (figurehead (as the Doge as the Doge was in Venice)was in Venice) but real but real power always lay with the power always lay with the city councils.city councils.

• 19. Cities tended to have multiple 19. Cities tended to have multiple councils, but most commonly you councils, but most commonly you would find a Great would find a Great Council and a Council and a Small Council. The Great Council Small Council. The Great Council might consist of hundreds of might consist of hundreds of members, met rarely as an entire members, met rarely as an entire body, and really served as a kind of body, and really served as a kind of pool from which were drawn the pool from which were drawn the members of the Small Council plus members of the Small Council plus members of a myriad of standing members of a myriad of standing committees that actually got most of committees that actually got most of the work done. The Small Council the work done. The Small Council comprised of only a few members (six comprised of only a few members (six or ten or so). This Council made many or ten or so). This Council made many of the tough decisions, including of the tough decisions, including deciding matters of alliances, treaties, deciding matters of alliances, treaties, war, and so on.war, and so on.

•20. Much of the day to day 20. Much of the day to day administration of a town administration of a town was done by committee. was done by committee. Medieval towns tended to Medieval towns tended to spawn committees for just spawn committees for just about everything, and about everything, and much of the detailed much of the detailed politics of a town centered politics of a town centered around control of these.around control of these.

• 21. One of the more unexpected 21. One of the more unexpected aspects of medieval town aspects of medieval town government government was their election was their election process. Many elections were by process. Many elections were by lot: candidates had their names lot: candidates had their names put in a hat (the mechanics of put in a hat (the mechanics of this varied) and six names or this varied) and six names or fifty names or whatever were fifty names or whatever were drawn from it. Elections were drawn from it. Elections were very rarely run the way we mean, very rarely run the way we mean, with the citizens stating their with the citizens stating their choice; and they were never choice; and they were never done in secret ballot, which is a done in secret ballot, which is a modern invention.modern invention.

•22. Terms of office were 22. Terms of office were extremely short: a year, six extremely short: a year, six months, even two months. Since months, even two months. Since the election of a newthe election of a new council was council was a matter of picking names by lot, a matter of picking names by lot, it could be done quickly. The it could be done quickly. The idea was to leave no one person idea was to leave no one person in power for too long. Medieval in power for too long. Medieval towns were obsessed by a fear of towns were obsessed by a fear of demagogues.demagogues.

Essay Question Chapter Essay Question Chapter 2626

• During the 1000s and 1100s in During the 1000s and 1100s in western Europe, there were western Europe, there were more births than deaths. Why more births than deaths. Why was this an important was this an important development at that time? In development at that time? In the world today, there are also the world today, there are also more births than deaths. Is this more births than deaths. Is this still a positive pattern? Why or still a positive pattern? Why or why not?why not?