Social Aspects And Roles Of Medieval Merchants In The Middle Ages

The following paper, through the mind and words of a fictionalized character, examines the crucial issues and various changes the imperial relationship between Great Britain and its North American colonies underwent in the mid-to-late eighteenth century. Drawing upon various historical events and enactments, the story of Gerald Gardner, a Bostonian merchant, will try to synthesize these events and provide a reflection upon the American Revolution from the point-of-view of those who shared his line of work. While the following opinions expressed display the feelings and attitudes of one man, the same cannot be applied historically to all of the merchant class. The characters and

During the Post-Classical Era merchants played an incredible role in shaping the course of different

The study of honor in Renaissance cities presents an intriguing paradox. On the one hand, honor seemed ‘more dear than life itself’, and provided one of the essential values that shaped the daily lives of urban elites and ordinary city folk. For wealthy merchants and aspiring artisans, honor established a code of accepted conduct against which an individual’s actions were measured by his or her peers, subordinates and social superiors. Possessing honor helped to locate a person in the social hierarchy and endowed one with a sense of personal worth. The culture of honor, which originated with the medieval aristocracy, directed the everyday activities of urban-dwellers of virtually all social groups from at least the fourteenth century on.

Throughout Chaucer's Canterbury tales, he describes the merchant class as more of neutral type of people, some are admired while others are criticized. The author uses his personal knowledge to better explain his thoughts about the characters who belong to the merchant class. The first one he mentions from the merchant class is the Merchant, he is described as sitting high on his horse as well as making it to where none knew that he was bad in debt. The narrator states that he does not care much about him, enough so that he does not know his name. The next character Chaucer mentions is the

Ibn Khaldun, in the 14th century, also explains why he and other Muslims view merchants are not worthy of respect. Aquinas and Khaldun clarify why their faiths look down upon merchants. Also, a merchant's mother gave the perspective of a common Christian's view of merchants. Her obvious chastisement and command to "crave not for all; you already have enough to suffice you!" [D6]. Common people also thought merchants craved for money, as seen in this mother's letter. Islam and Christianity always to commended honest business and condemned greedy, inequitable trade; however, Islam did have a high opinion of merchants but came to agree with Christians that merchants were not respectable.

changed on merchants. From the letter of a merchant’s mother, she says “Crave for not

Pierre de La Primaudaye thought nobility needed self-worth before such nobility were to even be inherited; he said you need to contribute to the family name [Doc 2]. Villagers of Mondeville in a testimony to the Parlement that nobility isn’t a perfect breed they shouldn’t hold such prestige over other people, saying that Pierre Morin believed his noble status gives him the right to mistreat anyone who is not royal or noble [Doc 3]. Henry, Prince of Condé spoke about the current nobility buying their way into offices, saying that there is no reward for virtue or tradition of family since all power now belongs to favors, alliances, kinship, and money [Doc 4].

The Merchant portrays himself to be a financial expert in order to hide his poverty: “ This estimable Merchant so had set his wits to work, none knew he was in debt...” (104, 289-290). Although the Merchant gives plenty of opinions on finances, he is a prime example of hypocrisy in that he gives advice that he cannot follow.

The medieval merchant and craft guilds stand up for the rights of the customers as well, it protects their rights. But the medieval guild also makes things for the craft guilds and

Nobles and priests were considered much better than common people, such as merchants or farmers, and they were certainly considered better than slaves. If one were to steal from a priest or nobleman, that person would be put to death. If that person was stealing for someone, that someone would be killed, also. This would be done immediately when the noble/priest accused someone, with no judging involved. On the other hand, if a commoner were to accuse another commoner of stealing something, they would have to go to court with witnesses. If the first commoner was proved guilty, he would be killed and the owner of the lost item would receive the item back. Also, if anyone were to harm the property of a captain, the person would immediately be killed, even if it was an accident. If the property were to be a commoner's property, the person would only have to pay a fine. I think this is also

Merchants and bankers were the most socially mobile group in the renaissance. The often started from humble beginnings- as peddlers or craftsmen, for example- and exploited new commercial opportunities to become very wealthy. Once they were rich, they tried to behave like the nobility. Many became patrons and leaders of society (“Social Order” pp.58).

The nobility of the Kingdom of France has been evaluated by various scholars of history. There is something to be said, however, for those who chronicled their impressions while living them in the 17th and 18th centuries. The excerpts of Charles Loyseau’s A Treatise on Orders, written in 1610, and Isabelle de Charriere’s The Nobleman, written in 1763 provide two very different glimpses on the French nobility from differing time periods. From these two accounts, it is clear that there was a marked shift in the way some viewed the nobility and their role in the operation of the French state. While Loyseau praises the nobility nearly wholeheartedly,

One of the biggest factors of the social change was, merchants. “At alle times, though him gamed or smerte,/ and thane his neighebor right as himselve./ He wolde thresshe, and therto dike and delve,” (line 536-538). Chaucer had commended the Plowman for being a good man. He also represents the lower class of society.

Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales was written during a time of societal change, away from the stability of feudalism and towards an individualistic, mercantile economy. Feudalism consisted of a static, rural economy where every member had a duty to serve those above them. They valued the greater good and were not focused on gaining economically for their own personal benefit. An era of change, however, began as events such as the Crusades opened up trading opportunities which would eventually cause a shift in England, as the economy went from being land-based to money-based. A mercantile class was on the rise as well as capitalism. People were no longer driven to work by a sense of personal duty for the common good, but rather for their own social and economic gain. Corruption of the Church during this time as well increased, as church members were affected negatively by this changing economy. Many were driven by greed as well and took on immoral approaches towards their church positions. Vows and church teachings were disregarded as indulgences and materialism became the main focus of many in the clergy. Through his satirical portrayal of his characters in Canterbury Tales, Chaucer explores issues such as the changing economy and corruption of the church in order to expose and criticize the wrongdoings and values of his shifting society caused by the end of feudalism during this time.

The merchant seems obligated to do what the monk wants because social ranking during this time period controlled the behavior between individuals. The merchant feels obligated to give the monk what he wants, and sees it as a “great pleasure/ Thus are they knit with eternal alliance” because of the social status during these times (Chaucer 39-40). Power and position are the social rankings, these determine how people will treat others according to their status, position, and power. Joseph Dane sees the same concept going on, “the merchant appreciates the monk’s kindness, thus respecting his rank and being obligated to serve his requests” (Dane 1). It is also shown that the monk possesses a rank after above the merchant by saying that he is “knighted,” implying that this position contains a power that can surpass a rich merchant, that already has some control over the village and the people of it. This shows the theme by emphasizing on the fact that social positions change behaviors towards people, leading to the merchant loaning the monk a hundred francs, when he did not loan it to even his own wife. Dane also states that “social ranking impacts the power that comes with position” (Dane 1). This elaborates on the fact that the monk is getting special privileges from the merchant, like taking loans just because his social rank/position is higher. The