Agricultural+innovation+and+increasing+trade+leads+to+the+growth+of+towns+and+cities

Economic Recovery Sparks Change

An Agricultural Revolution

**Technology Improves Farming** In medieval Europe, recently developed farming methods began a series of alterations. By the 800s, farmers were utilizing horses rather than slower oxen, and iron plows in place of wooden ones. Soil fertility was improved by a new crop rotation system. These revisions assisted farmers to produce more food, and between 1000 and 1300, the population of Europe almost tripled.

The Revival of Trade and Travel

**The Growth of Towns and Cities** Growing along the trade routes were trade centers, which gradually formed into the first medieval cities. Merchants in these medieval cities would inquire the local king or lord for a charter. A charter was a document setting up privileges and rights for the town in exchange for a large amount of money or a yearly fee.

A Commercial Revolution

**The Beginnings of Modern Business** As trade increased in size, new business practices came to light. The necessity for capital, or money for investment, affected the growth of banks. Furthermore, merchants banded with each other in partnerships occasionally, combining their money to finance extensive ventures. Other business changes incorporated the use of credit instead of cash and the establishment of insurance, enabling merchants to travel without having to carry gold.

**Society Begins to Change** The use of money expanded. Townspeople began to receive goods by peasants because they sold their goods to them for cash. Additionally, most peasants were hired laborers or tenant farmers, paying rent for their land, by the 1300s.

The Rise of the Middle Class Being called the middle class, by 1000, traders, artisans, and merchants had turned into a strong social class between peasants and nobles.

**The Role of Guilds** Members of this middle class established guilds, associations which protected and controlled particular businesses or trades.

**Becoming a Guild Member** To prove yourself worthy of a guild member, people frequently started in early childhood as apprentices. An apprentice turned into a journeyman, or salaried worker, after seven years, but few became guild masters. Women dominated some trades and also had their own guilds, as apposed to other locations in medieval life.

Town and City Life During medieval times, cities and towns grew quickly. Average cities had narrow streets, no sewage or garbage systems, were overcrowded, and had multistory houses. These cities attracted disease and were a fire hazard.