1. Trade and Town The Basics

2. THE BEGINNING The Crusades marked the beginning of “trade” in Europe. People were tempted by goods such as silk, spices, tapestries, and sugar. Those with money to pay for the expenses of a trip went into the trading business (who would that be??)

3. EXPANSION Western Europeans began sending ships in search of the goods they desired. Originally traders sold their goods in regular local markets or fairs. Fairs were social events were people gathered and browsed, but could also shop.

4. EXPANSION People began to see what other areas offered Serfs saw that they could sell things in exchange for money (ticket out of the bottom of the feudal system) People began building their skills to make the goods to be sold in fairs.

5. THE END OF FAIRS As expansion happened, fairs were unable to satisfy all the needs of traders and consumers because: ◦Fairs were NOT held in winter ◦People travelled great distances to be there ◦Travelling was dangerous (why??)

6. TOWNS Fairs lead way to the development of towns for the following reasons: ◦They provided stability (year round) ◦Shops were permanent (could be set up) ◦Towns were protected by a wall (security)

7. CRAFT GUILDS Towns were populated by people specializing in trade: bakers, tailors, tanners, sword and armor makers, etc. Every trade was controlled by the experts in that trade (called guilds) Guilds were organizations that set standards for the quality of their products. (what do we have today that mimics this?)

8. Guilds controlled prices for products, kept out unskilled crafts people, and eliminated competition. They controlled trade activity that took place in towns. They handled any accidents that occurred. If a member was sick the other members would provide him with food, etc.

9. Trades people could only work if they were a member of a guild They could only become members if they had been trained. ◦Think of modern jobs, does this process still hold true and in what ways?

10. BECOMING A MEMBER Acceptance into a guild followed this process: ◦The apprentice learned the most simple tasks,. He or she received training, room and board, and a small allowance ◦Then they were sent to live and work under a particular master (at age 8 or 9). ◦After years of work the apprentice would take a test to become a journeyman and would be admitted into the guild.

11. ◦After more years as a journeyman (who are paid), they created a “master piece” to be judged by masters for quality. ◦If accepted they became a “master” and they could take apprentices. WOMEN: were limited to guilds in the brewing and textile industries.