Development of Towns in the 12th Century
During the eleventh and twelfth centuries, improvements in the use of agricultural land led to major changes in Europe. The expansion of towns was one of the changes of this time period. Before the eleventh century, the techniques used in farming hindered amount of crop yields produced, so most of the population dealt with subsistence agriculture. Once Europe was able to fully utilize more effective farming techniques and produce surpluses, the opportunity to migrate to towns opened up for Europeans. Then towns developed into more centralized units, and in general became better planned out and widespread. As towns began to grow, they shaped and were shaped by the changes in the economic and political …show more content…
When the Viking raids slowed, a more peaceful Europe was able to emerge. This peace created political stability in Europe that allowed Europe to focus on a revival of towns and trade. Alongside political changes, religious institutions caused the populations of towns to increase. Cistercian monks helped the revival of towns and settlements in Europe. They would go all across Europe contributing to the establishment of towns by obtaining timber and constructing buildings.
Another factor was the European governments becoming more centralized and organized. Around the same time that governments began to encourage people to come to towns, they also began to print currency. The increase in coinage lead to a drastic change in the economic system and brought down bartering. Coins being convenient for exchange, allowed commerce to function more effectively and therefore allowed towns to grow more. This increase in coinage lead to inflation with lessened the wealth of the old feudal system that kept its money in …show more content…
The freedom offered in cities and the economic environment drew many away from feudal life and to city life. Manors stated having administrations, becoming better organized and managed. Along with other systems such as cooperative agricultural communities, the old feudal system became ever more outdated. Since land owners and lords wanted their towns to grow, as a means to collect more tax money, they tried to encourage more people to come to their towns. They would use various means, such as creating better roads and charting businesses. Better building were built than had been previously before, and larger project such as churches were more impressive. Overall, the people in charge of towns definitely played a role in the expansion of towns. Another reason towns expanded is because they were an escape form serfdom. Many peasants would merely flee feudal life to cities. Many serfs could gain freedom by simply living in that town for a certain amount of time, such as a year. Therefore, a large influx of the population that moved to towns was serfs trying to gain
During the eleventh and twelfth centuries, improvements in the use of agricultural land led to major changes in Europe. The expansion of towns was one of the changes of this time period. Before the eleventh century, the techniques used in farming hindered amount of crop yields produced, so most of the population dealt with subsistence agriculture. Once Europe was able to fully utilize more effective farming techniques and produce surpluses, the opportunity to migrate to towns opened up for Europeans. Then towns developed into more centralized units, and in general became better planned out and widespread. As towns began to grow, they shaped and were shaped by the changes in the economic and political …show more content…
When the Viking raids slowed, a more peaceful Europe was able to emerge. This peace created political stability in Europe that allowed Europe to focus on a revival of towns and trade. Alongside political changes, religious institutions caused the populations of towns to increase. Cistercian monks helped the revival of towns and settlements in Europe. They would go all across Europe contributing to the establishment of towns by obtaining timber and constructing buildings.
Another factor was the European governments becoming more centralized and organized. Around the same time that governments began to encourage people to come to towns, they also began to print currency. The increase in coinage lead to a drastic change in the economic system and brought down bartering. Coins being convenient for exchange, allowed commerce to function more effectively and therefore allowed towns to grow more. This increase in coinage lead to inflation with lessened the wealth of the old feudal system that kept its money in …show more content…
The freedom offered in cities and the economic environment drew many away from feudal life and to city life. Manors stated having administrations, becoming better organized and managed. Along with other systems such as cooperative agricultural communities, the old feudal system became ever more outdated. Since land owners and lords wanted their towns to grow, as a means to collect more tax money, they tried to encourage more people to come to their towns. They would use various means, such as creating better roads and charting businesses. Better building were built than had been previously before, and larger project such as churches were more impressive. Overall, the people in charge of towns definitely played a role in the expansion of towns. Another reason towns expanded is because they were an escape form serfdom. Many peasants would merely flee feudal life to cities. Many serfs could gain freedom by simply living in that town for a certain amount of time, such as a year. Therefore, a large influx of the population that moved to towns was serfs trying to gain