Medieval Europe: Economic & Social Shifts (12th-14th Century)

Economic & Social Transformations (12th-14th Century)

Agricultural Production & Population Growth

Why did agricultural production increase from the 12th century?

Several reasons contributed to the increase in agricultural production. The cultivated area was expanded by clearing forests, draining wetlands, and cultivating new land. In some regions, the three-field crop rotation was introduced, leaving only one-third of farmland fallow. New techniques also facilitated agricultural work, such as the heavy plough, irrigation, windmills, and watermills. This increased production led to more available food, reduced famines, and improved public health. Consequently, the death rate decreased, and the birth rate increased.

Trade Expansion & Financial Innovations

Conditions encouraging trade expansion in the 12th century

Population growth significantly increased the demand for products. As a result, artisanal production flourished, and trade experienced a revival.

Financial and commercial techniques (13th-14th centuries)

The growth of trade spurred the emergence of new commercial and financial techniques. Credit was offered, often involving lending money at high interest rates. Currency exchanges led to the development of banking. The large number of coins in circulation and their varying values necessitated the appearance of the money changer, who specialized in the valuation and exchange of money. By the 13th century, many commercial transactions were conducted using written contracts, eliminating the need for physical coins. This practice was the origin of bills of exchange, which appeared in the early 14th century.

Artisanal Guilds in Medieval Society

Understanding Guilds

What is a guild and what were its functions?

A guild was an association of artisans practicing the same trade. Its primary functions included offering support to members, protecting them from competition from unqualified artisans, and regulating quality and prices.

Advantages and disadvantages of guilds

• Advantages:
  • Offered support to members.
  • Protected members from competition from unqualified artisans.
  • Checked product quality and set prices.
• Disadvantages:
  • Created a very closed market.
  • Did not allow free competition.
  • Women were generally excluded from guild membership.

Categories of artisans

• Apprentices: Young individuals learning a trade, working for a master artisan for several years without salary.
• Journeymen: Men who worked for different masters and received a salary.
• Masters: Owners of the workshop, tools, and raw materials. An artisan had to create a masterpiece to achieve master status.

Urban Growth & Social Structures

Rise of Medieval Cities (11th Century Onwards)

Why did cities begin to grow from the 11th century?

Agricultural innovations reduced the need for farm workers. This, combined with population growth, created a surplus of agricultural labor. Many peasants migrated to cities seeking work. Others moved to cities to escape the servitude of their feudal lords, as anyone who spent a year in a city was freed from their obligations as a serf.

Key Medieval Urban Definitions

• Bourgeoisie: The inhabitants of medieval cities.
• Jewish Quarter: A neighborhood where Jewish people lived.
• Muslim Quarter: A neighborhood where Muslim people lived.
• Charter: A document, granted by the monarch, that established self-governance and specified the rights and privileges of a city.

Pogroms and Treatment of Minorities

A pogrom was a violent persecution and murder of Jewish people. From the 14th century onwards, the treatment of Jews and Muslims often involved discrimination and violence, reflecting societal prejudices and tensions.

Medieval Education & Culture

Early Universities & Urban Schools

12th-century universities on the map

• Oxford
• Paris
• Montpellier
• Reggio
• Salerno
• Bologna

First university in the Iberian Peninsula

The first university on the Iberian Peninsula was Palencia, founded in 1212.

Universities in Andalucía during this period

No universities were founded in Andalucía during this specific period.

Urban schools versus universities: cultural impact

There were two types of urban schools: cathedral schools, controlled by a bishop, and municipal schools, established by city councils. The success of urban schools prompted teachers and students to organize associations to defend their autonomy and privileges, which led to the establishment of universities. These institutions represented a significant cultural advancement, enabling more people to receive training and access positions of responsibility.

Minstrels' role in spreading culture

Minstrels played an important role in transmitting culture by traveling from town to town, entertaining people with their musical pieces and stories. Today, this function is largely carried out by the media and social networks.

Medieval Political Landscape

Iberian Peninsula Kingdoms (Map Context)

• The Kingdom of Portugal
• The Crown of Castile
• The Kingdom of Navarre
• The Crown of Aragon
• The Kingdom of Granada

Symbolism of Royal Power

Symbolic elements in a king's image

The king is depicted sitting on a throne surrounded by lions, symbolizing strength and power. He is covered with a blue cloak decorated with fleur-de-lis, a symbol of the French monarchies. Additionally, he carries two scepters: one also with a fleur-de-lis, and another with a hand, symbolizing justice.

Consolidation of Monarchical Power

How medieval monarchs consolidated their power

Monarchs strengthened their power through several means: economic growth allowed them to collect more taxes and create their own armies; the growth of cities helped impose royal power over the nobles; and the spread of universities provided court officials who restored Roman law, which granted more power to the monarch.

Powers and democracy of medieval parliaments

Medieval parliaments primarily functioned to raise taxes and approve additional financing for wars. They were not democratic, as only the monarch, nobles, clergy, and representatives of the cities were present. Furthermore, they only assembled at the monarch's request.

Causes of monarchical confrontations

The main conflicts included disputes over inheritance rights, exemplified by the Hundred Years' War. Other conflicts arose from the desire to establish clear borders, and some monarchs fought against powerful nobles who resisted royal authority.

The 14th Century Crisis

Agricultural Decline & Problems

Why agricultural production slowed from the late 13th century

Agricultural production slowed because plants highly demanded by textile workshops had replaced many food crops. The creation of new farmland had ceased, and soils became poor due to intensive farming. A major problem was widespread flooding, which led to significant harvest losses.

Effects of the agricultural crisis on European population

The agricultural crisis led to increased prices for agricultural products and supply shortages in cities. Hunger and malnutrition spread rapidly throughout the population.

Social Tensions & Rebellions

Causes of social tensions in the 14th century

Monarchs forced peasants to serve in their armies, often keeping them away during crucial spring sowing and summer harvesting periods. War caused widespread destruction and harvest losses. Monarchs, the nobility, and the clergy raised taxes to compensate for lost income. These factors fueled numerous violent peasant rebellions across Europe, with the most impoverished groups demanding better wages and working conditions.

The Black Death's Impact

Role of the Black Death in the 14th-century crisis

The Black Death played a very important role in the 14th-century crisis. It drastically reduced agricultural labor, which intensified food shortages and increased prices. This widespread hunger further fueled social unrest and rebellions.

Societal reactions to the Black Death

People were absolutely terrified. They often reacted violently, attacking Jewish communities. Flagellants toured European countries, performing public penance and asking for God's forgiveness, believing the plague was divine punishment.