Middle Ages
The foundations of New Towns
A. Background
B. The Economy Begins to Sputter
C.The creation or re-creation of Towns
d. How
The feudal lords didn’t really know what to do with merchants, sometimes they acted as bandits by plundering them, or collecting tolls from river crossing, extorting cash to protect them (basically they would not attack)- The merchants began to create their own law- lawmerchent- primarily concerned with debt, and bankruptcy- history is applicable today (bankruptcy). Contracts can be re-negotiated. Voided union contracts-
The merchants of towns- you see the growth of towns. The map/chart on the powerpoint is the tail end of the middle ages. Self governing republics emerged. Strongest areas in 12 and 13th centuries- places like Milan and Venice. Nuremburg, frankfurt- The towns are essentially self functioning republics- king has little influence, a distant holy roman empire also. leagues are formed. Germany was the Hansiatic League- independent town republics in northern germany, fight the king of denmark and defeat him- in France and England- the towns were less powerful- they had some degree of independence, but in England and France more subject to king- had to get charters of liberty to set up and manage themselves as town. Efforts to assert themselves independently were not as successful as the other places with leagues. Atlantic Europe was able to rise up faster- other areas had less power.
Rise of Commerce- within each town is merchant sand craftsmen- form guilds. Stonemasons, carpenters, blacksmiths and other smiths, haberdashers, shoemakers, tailors- for the public interests guilds ensured reliability and quality.
They provided means of vocational training and career direction- masters and apprentices. 7 years, then a journeyman- qualified worker, but could work for a master at a specified guild wage. If lucky, may become his own master if the guild allowed. We are told guilds were important for organized labor, but they did other things as well- they protected workers, collectively masters preserved reputations by producing quality, divided work amongst themselves. A collusion model- leaders of an industry distribute things evenly- the craftsmen benefit. The consumer pays for it. The guilds would set terms of apprenticeship, prices, avoided competition, etc.
Economy didn’t progress as fast as it could have. The purposes and legacies of business- the spirit fo medieval economy was anti-risk, anti-competition. Money necessary but evil- church said don’t make too much- don’t hoard by saving- interest is usury- basically keeps people poor- because if you weren’t you were distrusted. Craftsmen ok, but merchants coming into town had to sell outside of town- they called them burgs, run by burgers. Another legacy- growth of town- increased need for food- if people could grow more, they could sell their extra- farmers becoming businessmen- have to clear land- but you can’t force a serf to move-
Serfdom begins to end by early 12th century, and they were gone by the 15th. Where did they go? They own their own land or work for wages as peasants- they can buy sell and leave- placed western europe ahead of eastern- liberty and education opportunities increase. Medieval universities, monasticism.
Political changes: towards the end, a marked increase in royal authority. Royal power growing, particularly in england and france- development of central institutions- william the conqueror- the witan becomes curio regis- council of the kings- becomes a feudal body, meets at least 3 times a year, listening to powerful within kingdom- one way. The second way; extension of power to local level. Doe she just rule his palace? The kings set out officials to represent them- eyes, ears and occasionally mouth of the king- Sheriff. Appointed for each of england’s- 40 districts- shires, or counties. The sheriff received no pay for his work- potential problem. He has to be wealthy or crooked. Best case scenario- wealthy people rule- worse case scenario- they are crooks with the government behind them. The sheriff is supposed to maintain order. The sheriff catches criminals and is also the judge. Collects taxes, rises armies of foot soldiers when told. Sheriff would also organize adult males in groups of ten and would hold the whole group responsible for each other. In france, this official- a baliliff. Third way- taxation. Barter economy gone- real money, like silver or gold coin. They did est. an office of treasury- exchequor in England- collection of England’s treasury. France has more resources and land mass, but insecure borders and inefficient treasury department. Fourth way royal power achieved- kings create organizational monarchies- hereditary system of rule. Hugh Capet- king with little power, feudal power entrenched at the time- but Capet’s lineage would later rule, not just reign.
Hinderances to expansion of ruling power- from 12th to 13th centuries- not absolutist, not sent from God sort of rulers. Nationalism did not exist. Preserving the honor of the state was low on priorities. If they thought the king was going to intrude on local life, they would be very unhappy.
