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


• 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 Fair

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


The Fair

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

• Fairs are held as a big event every year.


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 Usage of Money

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

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


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 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 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”


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 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 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 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 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 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 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.



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

• Their wealth is based in trade and industry.



• 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.


Ladder Web

Rise in Population in Europe