1. Chapter 10: Europe
in the Middle Ages:
A.D. 1000-1500
The Revival of Trade
& Cities

2. The Early Middle Ages Vs. The
High Middle Ages
 The Early Middle Ages was
marked by:
 *The collapse of Roman Civilization
 *Decline in trade & towns
 *Constant invasions
 *Feudalism

3. Early Vs. High..cont
 The High Middle Ages was
marked by:
 1) Rebirth of Trade & Town life
 2) Rise in populations
 3) Agricultural improvements
 4) Creation of new social
classes

4. Improvements in Agriculture
 1)Heavy Plow: By the 12th
Century peasants began using
iron plowshares to plant crops
 2) Horse Collar: Harness that
fit around the horse’s shoulder
 3) Water & Wind Powered
Mills: Mainly used to ground
flour

10. Improvements in
Agriculture..cont
 4) Three Field System:
Farmers planted 2/3 of
their fields as opposed to
1/2 area
 This system immediately increased
food for the village & gave peasants a
healthier diet

11. Creation of the Middle Class
 Greater amounts of food meant larger
populations
 Between A.D. 1000 & 1150, the population of
western Europe rose from 30 million to 42
million
 As the population increased, people left the
countryside to settle in towns

12. Creation of a Middle
Class..cont
 Manorialism: The
organized structure of
rural economy in the
Middle Ages
 Serfs: Peasants legally
bound to the land

14. Creation of the Middle
Class..cont
 Burghers: Term for people
who lived in towns during
the High Middle Ages
 Burgh: Term for a walled
town
 Bourgeoisie: French term for
those who lived in a town

16. Creation of Middle Class..cont
 Role
of Jews in European
Towns:
 1) Business Managers
 2) Money
Lenders/Bankers
 3) Long Distance Traders

17. Growth of Trade
 Major Trade Routes:
 1) Mediterranean: Dominated
by various Italian city-states
that controlled the routes
from Constantinople & the
Middle East

18. Growth of Trade..cont
 2)Northwestern Europe:
Areas include southern
England, northern France,
Germany, & Flanders
 Hanseatic League:
Commercial alliance of
German merchants & cities

21. The Establishment of Trade
Fairs
 Local Trade Fairs:
 *Held Weekly
 *Local merchants set up
booths to sell & trade
goods
 *All needs for daily life
exchanged, such as cloths,
food, leather, & metals

23. Trade Fairs..cont
 Great Trade Fairs:
 *Typically held quarterly (four
times a year)
 *Large in size, attracted people
from across Europe & other parts
 *Mostly exotic goods, such as
Russian honey, Byzantine
perfumes, & Spanish wine

24. Creation of New Business
Practices
 Guild: Association of people
who work in the same
occupation
 Merchant Guilds: First guilds
created, members controlled all
aspects of trade in a town
 Craft Guilds: Skilled artisans

25. Why Join a Guild?
 1) Enforces Quality Standards
 2) Provided Insurance for its
members
 3) Training
Apprentice: Lived & worked with
master
Journeyman: Worked for wages

26. Decline of Feudalism
 As towns became stronger, more and more serfs would
leave the countryside to start a new life in the town
 At first, the feudal lords resented the upstart Burghers
 Charter: Written agreement
between king or lord & a
town that guaranteed the
town & its citizens certain
rights