Medieval+Cities

** UNIT 3 ** ** MEDIEVAL CITIES ** Agricultural production started to increase from the 12th century. Food production increased and there was less hunger. As a result, there was a sharp population increase. Trade developed quickly from the 12th century. Products were transported by land, river and sea. There were two important sea routes. Merchants met at trade fairs. As a result of the increase in trade, banking techniques changed and new financial methods were developed like payment by credit or bills of exchange. Cities began to grow again in the 12th century. New cities appeared, often near a castle or monastery or on a trade route. Medieval cities were small. The biggest cities had around 50.000 inhabitants. Each city had its own government, the city council,which was directed by a mayor. Different kinds of people lived in cities. In the cities, most of the population were Christians. There were also groups of Jews who lived in ghettoes or in Jewish quarters. On the Iberian Peninsula, there were Islamic people who lived in Moorish quarters. Population grew and, consequently, there was greater demand for clothes and objects made of wood and metal. The number of craftsmen increased. There were weavers, coopers, bakers, carpenters, dyers... Craftsmen made their products by hand. They lived, worked and sold the products in the same house. Craftsmen of the same profession often lived in the same street. From the 12th century, all artisans in the same profession joined a guild. Each guild had its own statue, which established members’ rights and obligations. Guilds controlled production, number of workers, and established prices. They also looked after their members and families. Nobody could work in a trade if they did not join a guild. There were three categories of craftsmen: In the 12th century, medieval economies improved and the kings collected more taxes. They created their own armies, and forced many feudal lords to obey them. The kings gave charters of liberties to the cities, which became free of feudal dependence. The kings began to create parliaments. They were very different from the parliaments of today. They only represented privileged people. The kings wanted to use the support of the cities to reduce the nobles’ power. Parliaments only met when the king called a meeting. Their main functions were to establish new taxes and approve special budgets for wars. Many conflicts were caused by disputes over succession. These ocurred when a monarch died without leaving a successor, or a successor was considered to be unsuitable. Other disputes were caused by the need to establish borders.
 * SOCIAL STUDIES. Summaries in English **
 * AGRICULTURE AND POPULATION **
 * New land was created by cutting down forests and draining marshes.
 * In some areas, the three-year system of crop rotation was established.
 * The mouldboard plough ploughed the soil more efficiently.
 * In Mediterranean areas, irrigation became more widespread and new crops were introduced.
 * There was also greater use of wind and water mills.
 * THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE AND BANKING **
 * The Mediterranean route linked Spanish and Italian cities with Muslim ports and the Byzantine Empire. The Europeans imported perfumes, silks, porcelain, spices and exported cloth and weapons.
 * The Atlantic and Baltic route was dominated by the Hanseatic League. They exchanged Spanish and English wool, French wines, English tin, and products from the Baltic such as amber, furs, wood...
 * THE IMPORTANCE OF CITIES **
 * THE CAUSES OF URBAN GROWTH **
 * New farming techniques resulted in less work for people. Many peasants had to migrate to cities to find work.
 * Many merchants went to live in the cities where the markets were.
 * Peasants were not controlled by feudal lords and were free in cities.
 * INHABITANTS **
 * Some merchants were very rich. They governed the city.
 * Most were craftsmen, shopkeepers or worked in domestic service.
 * Some were poor. They had no work and had to beg or commit crimes in order to survive.
 * CRAFTSMEN **
 * GUILDS **
 * TRADES **
 * Master craftsmen owned the workshops, the tools and the raw materials. They ran and controlled the guilds.
 * Journeymen were skilled craftsmen who received wages.
 * Apprentices were young men who wanted to learn a trade. They lived in their master’s house and worked for him for several years. They did not receive any payment.
 * THE GROWTH OF ROYAL AUTHORITY **
 * THE CREATION OF PARLIAMENTS **
 * CONFLICTS BETWEEN EUROPEAN KINGDOMS **