Medieval Urban Revival and the Rise of Trade Networks

The Resurgence of Medieval Cities

The resurgence of cities occurred because both the East and West helped the development of trade. Cities began to have more wealth as improved agriculture saw swamps drained and trees felled. In some areas, triennial rotation was introduced, and the heavy moldboard plow allowed more land to be tilled deeply. Irrigation was implemented and new crops were grown, owing to Islamic influence. Water-powered and wind mills spread throughout this period. This led to a population increase from 42 million in 1000 to 73 million in 1300. The Crusades also influenced this growth because they introduced more safety on the roads, ensuring products could arrive at the cities without problems.

The Development of Trade Routes

The development of trade involved the major routes of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.

• Mediterranean: Cadiz, Genoa, Marseille, Palma, Barcelona, Ragusa, Venice, Durazzo, Naples, Tunis, Palermo, Constantinople, Antioch, Candia, and Tinos. Products: Perfumes, Chinese silks, and spices.
• Atlantic and Baltic: Cadiz, Hamburg, Lisbon, London, Antwerp, Bruges, Burgundy, Bergen, Stralsund, Visby, and Riga.
• Hansa: Lisbon, Bilbao, Santander, Bruges, Antwerp, Hamburg, and Lübeck.
• Mediterranean and North Sea: Genoa, Troyes, Provins, Montpellier, Marseille, Lyon, Paris, Cologne, Lagny, Troyes, and Bruges.

Structure of the Medieval Town

The bourgeoisie were the commercial neighborhood inhabitants. The medieval town was surrounded by high walls; taxes were levied at the gates, and the doors were closed at night. The tallest building was the cathedral, where the bishop stood out. Town halls and palaces were also prominent. Towns were divided into districts, and each had its own parish, though there were not many open spaces.

Artisans and the Role of Guilds

Artisans developed their products by hand with few tools, working in small workshops. Guilds drafted statutes with rules of trade, rights, and obligations. Members controlled production quotas, paid benefits to widows and orphans, and created hospitals and hospices for their members. They managed to dominate the whole craft production in the cities.

Composition of Jobs

• Master: The shop owner who managed the profit and loss of the business.
• Official: An expert shop worker who received a wage.
• Apprentice: A youth who wanted to learn the trade.

The Emergence of Medieval Parliaments

In the 12th and 13th centuries, European kings began to convene courts or parliaments. These were represented by the clergy, nobles, and city governors. The kings intended to reduce the power of the nobility; they sought to establish their roles and adopt new taxes to cover extraordinary expenses, such as wars.