Medieval citiesVíctor Marín Navarro

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Medieval cities

In the 12th and 13th centuries, a period of economic growth led to the rebirth of cities.Cities became important centres of artisan activity and trade. A new social class appeared called the bourgeoisie. It was made up of traders, artisans and bankers.At the beginning of the 14th century, social tensions increased due to food shortages, rising prices and a general decline in the quality of life.

The return of urban life

At the end of 11th century, in Western Europe, agricultural production increased and population grew. This situation was produced by different causes:● The number of wars and invasions

decreased sharply.● New technical innovations in agriculture,

such as triennial rotation, which increased production.

● New farming tools, such as fertiliser, ploughs and mills.

The return of urban life

Triennial rotation Windmill

The return of urban life

Mouldboard plough

The return of urban lifeTrade increased as a result of extensive agricultural production. Farmers began to produce more than they could consume, and sold the excess crops.This increase in production also meant an improvement in diet and health, which caused population to grow.

The return of urban life

Cities began to develop, as farmers looked for places to sell their surplus crops. In the cities, farmers exchanged crops for products made by artisans.

Medieval cities

The new urban centres were called burghs, and their inhabitants were called burghers.Medieval cities were protected by high walls. Inside the walls, the streets were narrow and unpaved.

There was usually a square in the centre of the city. This square had the most important public buildings: the cathedral, the town and the marketplace.

Monarchs and nobles sometimes built urban palaces in these cities.

Around the city centre were houses. There were also hospitals, schools and inns.

There were a lot of religious buildings, such as churches or convents.

Medieval cities

View of Carcassonne (France)

Medieval cities

Medieval cities and urban streets

Medieval cities

The Cathedral in Reims (France)

Urban activities: artisan workshops and trade

Medieval cities became production centres of artisan products. Artisans that made the same products lived on the same street, which was named after them.Artisans worked in workshops. The owner of the workshop was the master artisan. The house where he lived was also used as the workshop.

Urban activities: artisan workshops and trade

Guilds

Artisans who made the same products formed guilds that were made up of apprentices, artisans and masters.The guilds ensured that all the artisans respected the same rules concerning:● Working hours● Tools● Quality of the products● Price of the products

Guilds

Fairs

There were markets in the cities where farmers from the countryside exchanged their agricultural products for artisan products.

There were also fairs, or big markets, that took place at the same time each year in a particular city.

Fairs

Money, banking and trade routes

The development of trade made money and banks necessary. Many cities began producing their own silver or gold coins again.

Long distanced trade was carried out by ship:● The Mediterranean route joined

the West with the Near East and the Byzantine Empire. Luxury products such as silk and spices were imported. Fabrics, weapons and tools were exported.

● The Atlantic and Baltic routes joined the ports of the Iberian Peninsula with Northern Europe. Wool, wine, leather, wood and wheat were transported through the Dutch ports.

European medieval fairs and trade

Urban society

The growth of cities transformed feudal society. A new social class was formed: the bourgeoisie. The bourgeoisie worked as artisans or traders.They lived more freely than peasants in fiefdoms as they were not dependent on feudal lords. The origin of their wealth was money, due to they worked as bankers and traders.

Urban society

Other social groups also lived in cities. There were also minorities such as Jews. Jews worked as doctors, moneylenders or artisans and lived in a separate neighbourhood called the Jewish quarter.Jews were frequently prosecuted by the rest of the population in many European countries.

City government and cultureLocal governments appeared in a lot of European cities, as a privilege recognised by the kings. Cities were governed by magistrates, who worked under the mayor in the areas of finance, order and justice. Most of the cities were governed by the richest urban families.

City government and culture

During the 12th century, the bourgeoisie and the nobles began to develop an appreciation for knowledge. This appreciation, together with economic and urban growth, led to development of schools, and later, universities. Students could study medicine, law, poetry and theology.

City government and cultureThe most important European universities were in Paris (France), Oxford and Cambridge (England) and Bologna (Italy). In Spain, the main university was Salamanca.

Crisis in the Lower Middle Ages

The Lower Middle Ages was the final period of the Middle Ages and it lasted during the 14th and 15th centuries.

It was conformed by a deep crisis:1. Several wars2. The agricultural crisis3. Plagues4. Revolts in cities and the

countryside

Crisis in the Lower Middle Ages

The determination of some European monarchies to consolidate their power and establish clear borders between kingdoms led to serious conflicts such as the Hundred Year’s War (1337-1453) between England and France.Although the English occupied a large part of French territory for many years, the war ended with the victory of Charles VII of France.

Evolution of Hundred Year’s War

At the beginning of the 14th century there was a serious agricultural crisis. The crisis was due to a series of bad harvests over a number of years. During the crisis, the production of wheat decreased and hunger was common across Europe.

In the middle of the 14th century (1347), the plague broke out in Europe, causing many deaths. The Black Death was a terrible disease which decreased the third part of European population. The outbreak came by ship from Asia and it spread from Italian ports to the rest of the continent.

Crisis in the Lower Middle Ages

The Black Death Outbreaking Map

Social tensions increased as the lack of food and rising prices led to a decline in the quality of life.

Numerous revolts broke out in cities and in the countryside. These revolts were forcefully suppressed by the nobility, the bourgeoisie and the kings.

Crisis in the Lower Middle Ages

Gothic ArtBeginning in the 13th century, a new style of art called Gothic art, was born. In cities, many Gothic buildings began to be constructed, especially cathedrals. Taller and lighter buildings became popular.

● Pointed arch● Groin vault● Big stained glass windows● Flying buttresses to reinforce the

walls● High towers● Rose windows● The floor plan was in the shape

of a Latin cross

Gothic architecture

Gothic sculpture and painting were used to decorate churches and cathedrals. This was a significant change from Romanesque Art.

● More realistic● The scenes had depth and the

people showed emotions● Sculpture and painting were

especially developed in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium

● Some gothic painters were Giotto and Jan Van Eyck

Gothic Art

Jan Van Eyck, The Ghent Altarpiece