Medieval European Society: Social Groups, Artisans, and Commercial Expansion
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Social Groups
The growth of cities transformed the organization of feudal society. Many artisans and traders were not dependent on the feudal lords. This group was the bourgeoisie.
Who were the Jews?
The dominance of Christianity in medieval Europe meant Jews were often persecuted. Jewish communities worked as artisans, in trade, medicine, science, and banking. They lived in separated neighborhoods called Jewish quarters and prayed in the synagogue.
Artisans and Guilds
- An artisan starts working as an apprentice at a young age and becomes a skilled artisan after several years. They had to pass an exam to become a master. The artisans of each city were grouped into guilds to protect themselves from competition. All artisans had to work the same hours with the same kind of tools. They usually set their workshops in the same streets.
Commercial Expansion
- The greater fairs: From the 12th century, trade routes were built between cities. Traders from across Europe began to travel and meet at the great fairs, large markets where products were bought and sold. The most famous were held in Champagne.
- The first major sea route opened in the Mediterranean Sea. They imported luxury goods and exported textiles, weapons, and tools.
The Strengthening of Royal Power
From the 12th century, monarchs took advantage of economic growth and the rise of bourgeoisie to impose their control over feudal lords. Representatives of the bourgeoisie could now attend council and royal court meetings, called courts.
Period of Crisis from the 14th Century
At the beginning of the 14th century, there was an agricultural crisis. Climate change led to bad harvests, famine, and the devastating Black Death pandemic. Wars like the Hundred Years War between France and England also caused death and destruction.
What was the Black Death?
- In a world already devastated by famine and war, the arrival of the Black Death made the situation worse.
- This plague began in Europe and was an infectious disease caused by a bacteria transmitted to humans from fleas on infected rats. It is said to have arrived through Genoese ships.
- Consequences: The Black Death caused the greatest demographic change in Western history, with an estimated 30% to 40% of the European population dying. Many lands were abandoned, and artisan and commercial activities stopped for a time in cities. The peasants, worn down by famine, war, and epidemics, violently rebelled against the lords.