High (1000-1300) & Late (1300-

1700) Medieval PeriodMajor Developments

-The decline of the feudal order

-The Renaissance-The Reformation-The Age of Exploration-The Enlightenment

Early Medieval Europe Review (300-1000)

Major Developments-Fall of Rome-Migrations and new settlements within Europe-Development of feudalism and its social

classes in Western Europe-Christianity spreads and connects Europe-The Roman Catholic Church holds great social,

economic, and political power

What was life like in the growing medieval towns?

During Early Medieval Europe, most people lived in the countryside.

By the 12th Century…

Towns were growing up around castles, monasteries, and trades routes.

These towns became

centers of trade and

industry.

Walking through a late medieval town…You’d see thick,

stone walls surrounding the towns for protection…

Gates to get into the town…

Often these gates are a distinctive part of a town’s history so many medieval gates continue to stand and be restored.

Because of widespread illiteracy, you would see signs

hanging over doorways of shops and businesses.

Open squares as gathering places…

Pilsen,Czech

Republic

Narrow streets…

Often crowded with people, horses, carts, cats, dogs, chickens, and garbage…

Why were medieval towns growing?

Better agricultural methods- clearing forests leading to a surplus of food

Revival of trade-Seaport towns

-Venice and Genoa in Italy

Venice

James I of Aragon: Improvement of Harbor

Facilities in Barcelona, 1243King James made an effort to improve the shipping facilities of Barcelona and to protect the interests of the seafaring men.“James, by the grace of God, King of Aragon, Majorca, and Valencia, Count of Barcelona and Urgell, and Lord of Montpellier. Be it known to all that because the citizens of Barcelona do daily improve, by God's grace, by reason of their activity in shipping, we have desired to increase their wealth and to improve the town for our benefit.Therefore we have decreed, granted, and firmly ordained that for the future, from Arazana in the west as far as the new building which Bernard Olzeto has made in the east, and from the sea itself as far as the houses which are constructed of rock or limestone, no one shall dare to construct houses, residences, workshops, shops, or any other kind of building, big or little, nor shall any one have his place or court there; but the whole part is set aside for common use for making, placing, and maintaining ships and other small boats there…. And if any house or shop or other building should be made within the confines of that area, we wish and grant that without petition to us, such buildings may be destroyed and utterly demolished without any penalty, civil or criminal, so that no one may continue to reside there at all.”Done at Barcelona on the ninth of September, in the year of the Lord 1243. Seals, etc.