Expansion: Population, Towns and Trade

I. Population Increase
        A. How much? [DOC 19: Population Estimates]
        B. Why?
                1. Decrease in plagues
                2. End of external threats
                    a. they built better defenses around towns 
                         - Example of new type of defense (stone)
                    b. they built castles (e.g., Bamburgh)
                    c. they incorporated the invaders into their kingdoms
                3. Improved climate
                4. Agricultural developments
                        [heavy plow] [horse collar]
II. The Rise of Towns
    A. Size of villages, towns and cities
    B. Why did people move to towns?
        1. overpopulation in the countryside
        2. freedom and legal rights
            a. personal freedom: the "year and a day" rule
            b. freedom from tolls: e.g., market tolls
            c. freedom of association: e.g., guilds
            d. burgage tenure: money rent only; no services
    C. Example town: Stratford-upon-Avon [MAP]
        1. 1086 - population of village around 50-100 
        2. 1182 - population around 200
        3. 1196 - bishop of Worcester obtained a charter
                        for a Thursday market
        4. 1251 - Old Stratford population now around 250
                        - Town of Stratford population now around 1000
    D. Town administration [DOC 20]
    E. Town Laws [DOC 21]
    F. The urban scene
        1. the walled town [image]
        2. street life [image]
        3. pollution
III. The Revival of Commerce[MAP]
    A. The Low Countries
        - cloth
        - wool from England
    B. The Baltic and the North Sea
        - Hanseatic League
    C. Fairs
    D. Transportation Developments
IV. Conclusions
    A. Development of a middle class (bourgeoisie)
    B. Decrease in serfdom