medieval towns and commerce Flashcards
why did the feudal system develop
because peasants needed protection of nobles and knights against the barbarians
when did the barbarian attacks began to lessen
900 CE where people no longer needed protection and slowly began moving and living in towns
what did the growth of towns lead to
the weakening of the feudal system
where did many towns grow around
castles, manor houses and next to port, rivers and main roads and increased in the high middle ages
what did towns become
centres of trades where goods were produced and the importance of feudal manors decreased
what did the towns give the rise to
wealthier merchant class who could fund their own armies
sat outside the feudal pyramid as they were lords with no vassals
what are the characteristics of the medieval town
walled fortifications
narrow winding streets
central marketplace
churches were prominent
guildhalls
manors or castles
what is a guild
an association of people engaged in a particular trade or craft of the mutual benefit of members
what was these associations of a guild
found by artisans who protect their interest, settle disputes between employers and skilled workers and set wages and prices
what was the most powerful merchant association
the Hanseatic league
what did members do in guilds
they met up regularly to discuss quality of the goods, working conditions, fair prices and pay and to set up apprenticeships
