1. travel
2. tourist destinations
3. europe

Name _____________________________ Class _________________ Date __________________
The High Middle Ages
Section 2
MAIN IDEA
Towns and cities grew during the high Middle Ages as the amount of trade
increased between Europe and other continents.
Key Terms and People
Hanseatic League a group of cities and towns in northern Germany that worked together
to promote and protect trade
credit the promise of later payment for goods bought
guilds trade organizations in which all members set standards and prices for their
products
apprentice someone who spent several years with a skilled crafter to learn basic skills of
the craft
journeyman a person who has learned the basics of a career as an apprentice but is still
learning from masters and has not yet opened his own shop
Taking Notes
As you read, use a graphic organizer like the one below to take notes on
the growth of trade, cities, and towns.
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The High Middle Ages
Section 2
Section Summary
GROWTH OF TRADE
Trade grew after the Crusades ended. Most of it was
controlled by merchants in Italy and northern Europe.
Italians were good at sailing, able to travel great
distances and gather rare and expensive goods such as
silk and spices from the Byzantine Empire, Muslim
territory, and China. The most significant trading city
at this time was Venice. Venetians had the biggest
fleet of ships in the Mediterranean Sea. In time, the
Italians cities of Genoa, Florence, Pisa, and Milan
became major trading cities. Before long, Italy
controlled most trade in southern Europe.
In northern Europe, trade was controlled by the
Hanseatic League. This was a groups of cities and
towns in northern Germany that worked together to
promote and protect trade. The league controlled most
trade between Europe, Russia, and the Baltic region.
Merchants had to find a way to get their goods to
customers. Trade fairs provided one opportunity.
Trade fairs were very large and held once per year.
Crowds poured into the fairs, which were usually held
near a town or monastery. A great variety of goods
were offered, such as spices, animals, and fabrics.
Some merchants traveled all the time to take part in
each fair. Local markets were smaller and held weekly
so that people could get essential goods close to home.
As a result of increased trade, many European cities
began minting their own coins. People used these to
pay workers and buy goods. People used coins to pay
taxes to their lords. Some merchants even allowed
customers to buy goods on credit. Credit is the
promise of later payment. Coins and credit led to the
first banks in Europe. People could deposit money for
safekeeping or request loans in banks. Most money
lenders were Jews because of religious laws that kept
Christians from charging interest on loans.
GROWTH OF TOWNS AND CITIES
The growth of trade and the use of money helped the
cities and towns of Europe grow. People wanted to
move off their farms and seek their fortunes through
trade. Advances in farming, such as the heavy plow,
What was one reason
Italians controlled trade?
_______________________
_______________________
How did trade fairs differ
from local markets?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Circle two things people
could do at Europe’s first
banks.
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The High Middle Ages
Section 2
water mill, and windmill made it possible to produce
more food with fewer people working on the farms.
As a result, more people could move to cities.
Merchants obtained special charters from kings in
order to run their own towns and avoid paying taxes to
feudal lords. These merchant-led towns grew very
quickly. One example is Paris, which had 100,000
people in the year 1300.
Craftspeople in cities created trade organizations
called guilds to protect their own interests and restrict
competition. Guild members worked together to set
standards and prices and to train children in the craft.
Most guilds were only opened to men, but women did
control some industries such as textiles.
Skilled craftspeople often took on an apprentice.
Apprentices were just starting to learn a trade. They
spent several years with a master, often living with the
master and his family. Once trained in a career, the
apprentice graduated to journeyman. Journeymen
either traveled to continue to learn from a variety of
masters, or they stayed in one town, working on their
craft as they saved money to open their own shops.
DAILY LIFE IN CITIES
Daily life in cities during the Middle Ages could be
unpleasant. Cities were small and cramped. Narrow,
dark streets were filled with people, animals, and
trash. Disease was common because of the numerous
rats and insects attracted to the waste. Cooking fires
created a lot of smoke and threatened the wooden
buildings. There was violence and theft. However,
cities also offered inhabitants opportunities for
entertainment and sport. Social activities were
popular, especially on religious holidays. Plays,
festivals, and ball games were a part of city life.
How many people lived in
Paris in 1300?
_______________________
How did a young person
learn a craft during the
Middle Ages?
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Name 3 things that
characterized daily life in a
city during the Middle
Ages.
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
Full Survey Chapter 14
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