Reshaping of Medieval Europe CH.10

I. Revival of Trade Trade routes reopens between western Europe & the East – growth of trade (commerce) Italian merchants vs. Byzantine Empire Italian merchants vs. Muslim states (Venice, Genoa, Pisa)

I. Revival of Trade Trade Routes Southern route – on water thru ships 2. Central route – combination of sea & land 3. Northern route – “Silk Road” overland route Beijing - Constantinople

I. Revival of Trade Italy controlled Mediterranean trade Flanders was the marketplace (present day Belgium, France, Netherlands)

Ghent, Belgium

I. Revival of Trade Money & Banking Past: barter system (exchange of goods) (ex) 1 chicken = 2 barrel of wheat Growth of trade needed a standard for buying goods 1. Commercial towns began to mint coins (ex) “Florin”: gold coin of Florence

2. Moneychangers Different coins were used in different towns Moneychangers judged value of coins, find counterfeit money (modern day currency exchange)

Also did banking services (safekeeping money) Even kings, nobles, popes borrowed money from them to finance projects “bank” comes from the Italian world “banca” (=bench)

II. Growth of Towns Merchants & craftsmen are the new social class (not nobles, farmers, or serfs) Merchants banded together to protect their rights & gain freedom from the feudal system “charter” = legal document stating the given rights & privileges of the merchants from the town lords

II. Growth of Towns Charter Free Status living a freeman most important right for a town 2. Exemption from manorial obligation - No laboring for the town lord (instead paid cash to lord)

II. Growth of Towns 3. Town justice Tried in the court of his town by his own town people 4. Commercial privileges - Right to buy & sell freely in town market

II. Growth of Towns Guild Guild formed to protect the common commercial interest Prevented outside competition to do business in town & fixed prices = gain security & maximize profit Established need institutions in town (i.e. schools, care for poor & sick)

Two types of guild Merchants Crafts (guild for tanners, blacksmiths, bakers, shoemakers etc.) (Modern day example of guild) Korea: Garak Fish Market U.S: Screenwriters Guild (Hollywood)

II. Growth of Towns 3 class members Apprentice Worked under a master Worked for his food, lodging, training (2-7yrs) 2. Journeyman (Day-laborer) Earned wages as a skilled-worker Usually worked at his master’s shop

II. Growth of Towns 3. Master Needed several years of experience & money to open his own shop Took examination & oath to keep the regulation of the guild Trained apprentices & hired journeymen

(n) Hanseatic League group of guilds in 70 German cities “Hanse” = German for guild Had its own navy, negotiated treaties with other countries and even waged war

II. Growth of Towns * New social class = middle class Composed of merchants, bankers, craftsmen “Burgesses” = men of the town Bourgeois (French)/ Burgers (Germany) Had money & were energetic, mobile, independent, growing Eventually the middle class destroys the feudal system (lord-servants) & shape a new society

III. Medieval Science Science – Roger Bacon (1214?-94) Greek & Muslim science began to influence European science (accuracy thru verification) Bacon argued for observation & experimentation for scientific conclusion Wanted to rid of superstition & mysticism

III. Medieval Literature Latin was the official language of Medieval Ages (for Roman Catholic Church, universities, government) Not spoken language; people spoke their regional language 12C writers wrote in “vernacular” =common spoken language

III. Medieval Literature “Troubadours” (= traveling musicians) would perform poetry from town to town (theme: chivalry, love) Popularized King Arthur & the Knights of the Round Table

European popular writers Dante Alighieri (Italian; Divine Comedy, Inferno) Geoffrey Chaucer (English; Canterbury Tales)

IV. Emergence of National States Nation-state emerged King ruling a group of people having a common language, tradition, culture, religion (national pride) Rise of national monarchies Feudalism gradually declined; instead royal power increased By 1500 major states established

Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) War between France & England French king tried to take over Flanders (important commercial area)