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Later Middle Ages
 The
Rise of Trade
Europe change
a great deal during the Later Middle Ages. Towns grew and trade increased
along with all types of businesses. Powerful rulers of strong nation appeared
and new ideas in writing, science, and building appeared. We will be taking a
look at why and how these changes took place.
Even after
the fall of the Roman Empire some trade with European countries still
occurred. Sometimes manors would trade with one another and Europe still
traded with the Byzantine Empire. The exchanged olive oil and wine from
Europe for spices and silk from Asia. Even after Muslims gained control of
the area some Europeans still traded with the Near East.
The Crusades
had the affect of reopening some of the trade routes. European nations
conquered some of the Mediterranean Islands that had been in the control of
the Muslims. During the crusades both men and supplies were carried back and
forth from Europe to Palestine. The Italian cities of Venice, Genoa and Pisa
carried on most of this trade. The Italian ships traveled across the
Mediterranean Sea to the Near East and carried back goods that came from as
far away as India and China. From Italy other European traders took the goods
and traded them all over Europe.
Of course the
Europeans needed something worth while to trade. At first they only had raw
materials to trade. Soon though, they learned to make products to trade.
They made woolen and silk cloth, metal ware, and leather goods.
The Italian
traders not only traded with Europe but they sent their ships around to
England and northern Europe from which the Italian ships brought back
furs, wood, grain, copper and fish.
All of this
trade led to the creation of Trading Fairs. These were large trading meetings
that could last for weeks. At the meeting merchants or traders, came from all
over Europe. Some of these fairs are still held in Europe today.
Also the
increase in trading led to more use of money and less bartering. The Kings
and Nobles created coins that were used as money. This made trading difficult
because the coins were not uniform. Some were worth more than others. For
example a Venice coin was often worth more than 4 French coins. This led to
the new job of Money Changer. They exchanged the coins at certain rates. The
money changers kept their money safe in a strong box. Sometimes the merchants
asked the money changers to hold their money to keep it safe. Likewise, many
merchants borrowed money from the money changers. Of course the money
changers were paid for all the services they performed. After a while they
had lots of money of their own and became bankers.
Travel
conditions didn't do much to help trade thrive. The roads of Europe were too
rough for wagons. Goods were carried over the land on horses or mules. They
also didn't have many bridges in Europe which caused many traders to transport
their goods by river. Every time merchants crossed a Noble's land, used
Noble's boat, or sold goods at a Noble's market they had to pay a toll or tax.
Ships were
also in danger of Pirate attacks.
Investigate: In the 1300's the Asiatic League was formed. What was this and
what was its purpose?
What do
you think?
 Describe
what things might have happened at a Trader's FairWhy
do you think certain goods from Asia cost so much in Europe?What
affect do you think the feudal system had on trade in Western Europe?The
Growth of European Towns
Cities didn't
completely disappeared after the fall of the Roman Empire. Places like Italy
still had many cities. Outside of Italy some of the old Roman cities became
Church centers where Church leaders lived and took care of their obligations
to the Church. These centers attracted many visitors and settlers.
Remember that
many castles were built in Northern and Eastern Europe during the Early Middle
Ages. The German word for these was Burg. Many of these castles or burgs
were the centers around which people settled. They were called Burghers.
Many cities in Europe still end with burg Strasburg, Hamburg, Heidelberg and
many others.
New towns
also formed in areas where trading was good. Some of these towns sprung up
along rivers and near harbors. Some even were created at the Intersections of
roads or rivers.
Now the
problem was that most of the towns were still under the control of the feudal
lord. Sometimes rich members of a town could buy a charter from the Lord.
This was a document that declared the people of the
town free. Since the towns with Charters had folks who could put all their
energy into their own interests, trade in these towns grew quickly. Between
1100 AD and 1300 AD most towns got charters from either the Lords or the
Kings.
Guilds were
the main way towns were governed. Guilds were groups of people who shared a
common trade. The leaders of these guilds were usually members of the Town
Council. Usually the town council passed laws that were beneficial to the
guilds.
The main
reason for the guilds was to protect the workers. Only members of the town
guild could work, trade, and sell their goods. The guild also set up rules
within itself. All people doing the same job were paid the same. They all
worked the same hours. They all charged the same price for their products.
The guilds also set high quality standards for the goods produced.
To insure the
high quality standards guilds set up their own system to train workers. First
one became an apprentice. They were boys (usually) learning a skill. They
were provided food, shelter and clothing while training as an apprentice. At
around 9 an apprentice became a journey man. A journey man is a day worker.
Once he proved his skill he could become a master. Often this took years.
Masters often opened their own shops.
The towns
were small and crowded. Streets were narrow, houses close together and built
high. Fires often ravaged these crowded towns. A new class arose called the
City Middle Class.
Essay:
In what ways do you think city life in the later middle ages was like city
life today? How do you think it was different? or Do you think the Guild
system to use today to train workers? Why or why not?
France
and England in the Later Middle Ages
France and
England became untied under strong rulers respectively. In England however
the people gained more individual rights.
After
Charlemagne died his empire was take over by feudal lords. The western part
of what was Charlemagne's Empire became know as France. In 987 AD Hugh Capel
was chosen by the nobles to rule France but he mainly ruled Paris and the
surrounding land. Most of France was still controlled by the feudal nobles.
Philip Augustus who became a French ruler in 1180AD was powerful enough to
conquer a large part of France held by France. Normandy and Anjou. Louis the
Ninth ruled from 1226 to 1270 AD. He improved the court system by having
local officials go out to the provinces to check the work of local officials,
much like Charlemagne. He and Augustus helped France form into a solid
nation.
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The
Situation in France