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Process of Urbanization in Western Europe During the High to Late Middle Ages

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European society in the Middle Ages was predominately rural. The great urban centres of the Roman Empire had either decayed or remained as administrative and religious centres. The societal wealth and power rested within the countryside. The countryside began to experience economic growth in the 11th century. This economic growth would trigger a series of changes to the European societal order in the 12th century. While the majority of the population remained in the countryside, an influx of people migrated from the countryside to towns. A process of urban revival was seen throughout Western Europe. Industries emerged, trade flourished, and the societal structure began to change, leading to a shift in power dynamics. Conflict arose in the …show more content…

“We ordain that every time there shall be a change of provosts in the new provost shall take an oath faithfully to observe these regulations” This charter illustrates the willingness of the king to concede to some of the demands of the bourgeoisie but not all. Many of the charters freed the citizens from lord’s obligations, abolished a variety of taxes, and granted the towns their own courts. The charters did not abolish taxes outright, they established the lord’s right to raise money and made it known and fixed. However, not all towns obtained these privileges. Kings had their own political reason to grant these privileges to towns. In the late 11th century, Western Europe saw a revival of Roman law through the Justinian code. These laws reflected a centralization of power. Roman laws provided medieval Europe with the concept of new institutions, which required an educated class. Universities emerged which, significantly increased scholarship in Western Europe. These scholars became administrators in both the church and political institutions. With trained administrators to fulfill the positions in these new institutions, a slow shift began to occur from the knights who once controlled and dominated politics to civil servants. For example, in the 12th century it appears that justice institutions replace the advisory position of the royal council. The kings could increase their authority by limiting the

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