Towns and Trade Flashcards
(37 cards)
Where did most towns originate from?
Roman urbanisation
Why were cities important to the early medieval church and what was the practical reality of cities?
That is where the bishops were sat/elected
A city is really just the seat of a bishop
How do bishoprics create demand?
Need for special products
What secular reasons were there for cities and how did they affect the landscape of Northern Europe?
Founded for defensive and political reasons (seat of power, council etc.)
Lots pop up in Northern Europe
What was the average population of cities in N. Europe?
2500-5000
How many towns in France in 1200 had a population of 5k+?
30
What were walls and gates both a function and symbol of for cities?
Function: Military defence and commerce
Symbolism: Social distance and judicial status too (eg which court you answered to)
Social distinction between city and country folk
What creates distinction between the city and the Bourg?
When cities out-grow their walls
How were cities divided and give an example
Had specialised neighbourhoods, usually by trade/industry or family or lordships
eg Paris some parts directly under the king, some under Notre Dame cathedral chapter etc
What shows that cities were not peaceful, with lots of political, cultural and economic conflict?
Families fighting each other (eg towers of San Gimignano)
Also the massacres in spain
How deep did city independent run?
- Own corporate ID
- Independent law codes; cities have jurisdiction over inhabitants and surrounding hinterland
- Can even war if want to (eg Florence)
What is important to remember about the political power of cities?
Each town a political entity in its own right like bishops and lords
eg Agreement between Robert, Count of Dreux and the town of Dreux (1180)
What was the population growth of Paris and Bologna?
1240 Paris 160,000 –> 210,000
1200 Bologna had 4x the surface area as in the classical period
What was the birth-rate in cities and how does this help explain the growth of cities?
Low: 2-3 kids
Many people not in a family situation, most growth = immigration (mainly from countryside)
What was the relationship between towns and the countryside?
They needed each other (eg countryside needed market to produce for, towns needed people)
What was a diocese?
Territory under the authority of a bishop
What was the name given to the immediate rural hinterlands of a city?
Contado
What was a Distretto?
The further rural hinterlands of a city
What does fulling mean?
Cleaning wool
What is carding?
Combing wool into separate strands
Who were the Hansa?
Association of German merchants trading in the north Atlantic
eg Starved Bergen out when stopped trading cos King and them disagreed on something
What percentage of people weren’t taxed and why?
75% exempted cos too poor
Who held privileges and distinct citizenship in cities?
The elite
What were two main pull factors for migrating to a city?
- Charities and hospitals; this cos rich people live here
2. Work and jobs; cities drivers of intense economic activity
