Medieval Urban Growth and the Rise of the Bourgeoisie

The City and the Bourgeoisie

The expansion of agricultural production allowed for the resurgence of urban life. Villages dedicated to population centers and commerce gave rise to cities.

• The Bourgeoisie: Differed from peasants due to their business activities and their legal status of liberty.
• Political Organization: Cities organized themselves politically and obtained privileges from monarchs through charters.

The Economy of the Medieval City

• Guilds: Artisans were organized into corporations called guilds, which held a monopoly over their specific trades.
• Urban Commerce: Music was instrumental, and many cultural developments originated from trade fairs.
• Financial Evolution: The revitalization of currency had significant social and political implications, leading to the creation of the first banks, new payment instruments, and commercial associations.

Medieval Political Forms

• Power Struggles: The conflict between the Empire and the Papacy weakened both institutions.
• Emerging Powers: Kingdoms and cities reached a peak in their development.
• Royal Authority: Kings strengthened their power against the nobility by leveraging the support of the bourgeoisie and theories derived from Roman law.

Parliamentary Assemblies

Assemblies known as courts or parliaments appeared, representing the three estates of the kingdom: the clergy, the nobility, and the burgesses.

Key duties included:

• Swearing allegiance to the king or heir.
• Approving taxes and grants.
• Supporting foreign policy and addressing complaints.

Hard Times: The 14th and 15th Centuries

The 14th and 15th centuries were a difficult period marked by demographic crises and social and political instability.

• Famine: Poor harvests broke the fragile equilibrium between production and resources.
• The Black Death: This demographic catastrophe decreased the European population by one-third.
• Conflict: Numerous wars erupted, most notably the Hundred Years' War between France and England.
• Religious Crisis: A shift in mentality contributed to the Great Schism, the worst crisis in the history of the Papacy.

Gothic Art

• Peak Period: Gothic art flourished between the 13th and 15th centuries, coinciding with the growth of cities.
• Architecture: Fundamental elements include the pointed arch, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses. While cathedrals are the most prominent structures, civil architecture also became significant.
• Artistic Independence: Sculpture and painting became independent, adopting more naturalistic attitudes. Painting on wooden boards became common.
• Transition: Toward the end of the Middle Ages, painting evolved toward the Renaissance, led by the Italian and Flemish schools.