The Economic Recovery of the Early Middle Ages (1100-1350)
The economic recovery in the early Middle Ages, from 1100 to 1350, consisted of the improvement of agriculture, an increase in inhabitants, the development of craft activities, and the development of banking.
Agricultural Advancements
When Europeans went on the Crusades, they discovered new crops and techniques for growing crops that they then used, resulting in improved productivity. Another factor that helped agriculture improve was the three-year crop rotation, which meant that each year only one-third of the agricultural land was left fallow. Another important advance was the invention of the moldboard plow, which was pulled by horses. Windmills also became popular and widely used.
Farmers also produced a surplus, meaning they grew more crops than they normally did to sell through barter, which was an exchange of goods without money. Thanks to this improvement in agriculture, there was more food, people had more money, and they became healthier. This caused a significant increase in population in Europe, and more towns developed to be near the markets.
Rise of Towns and Crafts
Although it was an advantage that new techniques were used in agriculture, many people lost their jobs, so they moved to the towns to look for new work. Also, as craft activities improved, many merchants emigrated to set up in the market. Additionally, as serfs were not under the control of their feudal lord in towns and were considered free, they moved there to escape from servitude.
Markets emerged because there were more crops, so more goods needed to be exchanged, and there were more inhabitants, so there was a higher demand for craft products. Craftsmen formed guilds, which were associations that grouped together all the people that worked in the same field and regulated prices and working practices.
Categories of Craftsmen:
- Master Craftsmen: Owned the workshop and the tools.
- Journeymen: Worked for the master craftsman in exchange for a salary.
- Apprentices: Learned their skills in return for food and accommodation.
Conclusion
In summary, all these changes improved Europe after the tumultuous periods of invasions and the Dark Ages, making it a better place to live.