medtown

A medieval town In this lesson you will be learning: • Why medieval towns grew up • What medieval towns were like • What medieval townspeople were like • What jobs medieval townspeople did • How medieval towns were different to modern towns

How did towns form? There were very few large towns in medieval Europe. Most were no bigger than a modern village with a population of between 2000 and 10,000. In the 13th century, the largest cities (Flemish cities and in northern Italy) had populations of as many as 50,000 inhabitants.

How did towns form? One of the biggest Medieval cities was Bruges

How did towns form? One of the biggest Medieval cities was Bruges

How did towns form? Towns grew up for different reasons and had different functions as a consequence. Some had religious functions. The church or cathedral was usually the most important building. Other towns had political functions. Towns were freed from the control of feudal lords and gained liberty. The town hall was in charge of the government of each city and its surrounding territory. Towns also had economic functions. Craft production and commerce was concentrated in cities. The market square was the main point for exchanges.

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How did towns form? Towns had to be safe. Merchants would not come unless they felt sure their goods were safe. So the lords built wooden fences or walls around, them. At night, the gates were locked to stop foreigners (outsiders) from getting in

How did towns form?

As towns grew in size and became prosperous they were able to buy a charter, a document which gave them freedom from the lord of the manor on whose land the town had grown up. By the 12th century, many lords of the manor were short of money and were glad to sell the rights of the town to pay off their debts.

The town charter allowed the townsfolk to have a mayor, whom they elected, and a law court of their own.

A typical town street

What jobs did people have in the towns? Men of the same craft or trade lived in the same street, and often gave their name to the street.

Look at the plan of the town. What sort of occupations could you find there?

A medieval town?

A medieval town