1. Rebirth of Urban Life Before 1200, no town in Western Europe had more than 30,000 inhabitants Functions: – Administrative centers of the Church or political leader – Fortified enclosures: provided protection to rural population under attack – Centers of local and international exchange

2. Medieval Trade

3. Urban Social Organization Hierarchical Noble (patrician)—a well-known family with a position, strength, or longevity; – required land in the countryside or merchant trade in towns – Usually derived from military service – Appointed by higher nobility to the “privilege” Townsmen—Middle class; own or work in shops to earn income to pay taxes to the nobles Peasants—farmers who brought crops to market

4. Political/Societal Pyramid (post-1200) Hereditary monarchs Noble families Townsmen— subordinate to a lord Serfs (semifree) or slaves

5. Towns and Commerce Magnets for skilled labor and goods Guilds within the towns controlled the production and price of goods of a certain craft Most peasants were allowed to bring their crops to town to sell Merchant guilds controlled in flow of a variety of goods from foreign markets and price.

6. Medieval Guilds Guild Hall   Commercial Monopoly:  C ontrolled membership apprentice  journeyman  master craftsman  Controlled quality of the product [masterpiece].  Controlled prices

7. Medieval Guilds: A Goldsmith’s Shop

8. Crest of a Cooper’s Guild

9. Late Medieval Town Dwellings

10. Universities and Scholasticism Founding of the first universities in towns Variety of subjects taught but theology guided most subjects Scholasticism became the focus of most universities  the use of reason and research to investigate and solve problems

11. Medieval Universities

12. Oxford University

13. Government and Church Lack of structured gov’t Kings and queens are starting to build their gov’ts but often clash with nobles over power Catholic Church reached its height of political, spiritual, and cultural influence The Pope was more powerful than kings/queens

14. The Nobility Princes of blood (royal family) Mediatized princes—dependant on another prince Dukes, earls, counts Barons or Knights *higher the title=more land owned by the family