1) Several factors led to the revival of trade in medieval Europe, including the reopening of major trade routes like the Silk Road, the establishment of central and southern sea and land routes between West and East, and the growth of regular markets and fairs where goods could be exchanged. 2) The growth of towns was another major factor, as increased agricultural productivity allowed for urbanization. Towns offered new freedoms and social mobility through guilds and charters that gave rights to townspeople. 3) Guilds helped regulate various trades and professions in towns, establishing hierarchies and standards for apprentices, journeymen, and masters. This led to the rise of a new middle class in medieval society.

1. Reshaping of Medieval
Europe
Chapter 10
Part 1

2. FACTORS
THAT LEAD
TO
REVIVAL OF
TRADE

3. Routes
1. Northern
• Silk Road
2. Central Route
• Land and Sea
3. Southern Route
• Red Sea

4. Markets and Fairs
Fair
•Regional/international
• annual
•West meets East
Market
• Primary center for local
trade
• Merchants/peasants sold
their stuff

5. Fairs
West East
• Wool • Spices
• Grain • Silk
• Timber • Gems
• fish • Cotton/linen
• Rugs
• dyes

6. $$ and Banking
Moneychangers
Standard value
knew value of
of goods
coins
Every lord
minted own
coins
Help trade

7. Banking
Money
Changers
Knew value Kept money
of coins for merchants
Money Letters of
lenders credit (checks)

8. Church and Business Practices
Discouraged economic Viewed merchants and
activity traders with suspicion
Poverty = virtue Wealth brings corruption
Medieval
Church
“just price” = price that
included cost of “usury” = charge interest
material, labor and for use of money borrowed
reasonable profit

9. FACTORS THAT LEAD TO
GROWTH OF TOWNS

10. Growth of Towns
Towns = places of trade
Increase in agriculture productivity
Revived Trade
Guilds
Better Farming
(Better tools Increase in
means less people people’s freedoms
needed) Emergence of new
social class
(middle)
Charter = privileges granted to a town by the feudal lord; outlined rights of the
townspeople

11. Freedom
after 1 year
in town
Don’t have
Buy/sell
to work land
freely
(money)
Town Justice

12. Guilds
Regulate business activity
Security-profits-aid-charity
Merchant (fixed prices)
Craft (regulate hours, wages, etc)

13. 3 Classes in Guild
Master
Craftsman
• Needs experience and
$$$ to open own shop
Journeyman • Exam, and show
• Seek employment and sample work
wages (masterpiece)
Apprentice • In shop of master • Take oath to follow
rules of guild
• Young boy
• Enters house of master
• Work in exchange for
food, home and
training(up to 7 yrs.)

14. New Social Class
• Freedom
• Money
• Energetic
• Independent
• Mobile
• Growing in power
and importance
• Bothered Nobles
• Decline of
Feudalism
• No more wealth
by birth or land
• Money can be
made and
invested
• Many merchants
lived like lords

15. Town Life