Feudalism During the middle ages people bartered or traded for other goods. As trade increased demand for gold & silver coins increased. Slowly people began using money to pay for goods.

Feudalism Merchants set up banks and trading companies to manage the sale of goods and use of money.

How Cities were Governed Towns were often located on land owned and controlled by lords. In exchange for paying lords taxes, people were able to buy & sell property and the freedom from serving in the military.

How Cities were Governed Over time medieval towns set up their own governments. Citizens typically were men who were born there or lived their for an extended period. In many cities they elected members of their city council.

How Cities were Governed Candidates from wealthier and most powerful families controlled elections so that only they were elected.

Crafts & Guilds trade encouraged Mfg. People produced cloth metal works, shoes & other goods in their own houses. Over time these craftsmen organized guilds or business groups. By 1200 carpenters, bakers, tanners had created guilds.

Crafts & Guilds The rise of towns and guilds created prosperous communities in Eur. Guilds set standards for quality. Guilds also set prices for goods.

Crafts & Guilds The guilds determined who could join a trade & the steps they had to follow. A person could become a member of a guild at age 10. Apprentices learned a trade from a master craftsman.

Crafts & Guilds An apprentice was given room & board but no wages. After 5-7 years an apprentice worked as journeyman and earned wages.

Life in the city Medieval cities had windy streets with houses crowded against each other. Candles & fireplaces were used for light & heat Because the houses were built of wood, fires would spread rapidly.

Crafts & Guilds Cities were often dirty & smelly. Fireplaces filled the air with smoke & ashes. Butchers and tanners would dump blood & animal waste in the streets. Because of the pollution rivers were not used for drinking water.