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Beste Beste ,
Our next session March 18th will be very special!
One of our collegues from the group of Margaret , Jean-Paul , an experienced Brussels City Guide among other things, has agreed to do a presentation for us on the emergende of cities in general and on the origin and development of Brussels in particular.
He has already brought this presentation for Maragret's group a few weeks ago. So some of you will already gave seen this.
But to everyone of you who has not yet seen it, you are invited to join us in the large room (the one with the TV monitor) next monday.
Jean-Paul has prepared some background information which
I am including in this email text and adding it as an attachment as well.
On another subject , next Monday is Saint Patrick's Day.
So normally we would celebrate this on Tuesday with Margaret's Irish Coffee and by wearing something green on this special day.
However ,Margaret has other obligations next Tuesday , so we decided to postpone our Irish Coffee to the next session April 1st. (and this is not an April Fool's trick).
And I'm sure Saint Patrick will understand.
Here comes the text:
The development of cities in Europe during the 10th, 11th, and 12th centuries was influenced by several interrelated economic, political, social, and technological factors. This period, part of the High Middle Ages, saw the gradual resurgence of urban life after the decline of the Roman Empire and the early medieval era. Key reasons include:
1. Agricultural Revolution
- Improved
Farming Techniques: The introduction of innovations like the heavy
plow, three-field system, and improved harnesses for horses boosted
agricultural productivity.
- Food
Surplus: Increased agricultural yields supported population growth and
freed some of the workforce from subsistence farming, enabling them to
pursue other activities in towns and cities.
2. Population Growth
- With
better food production and relatively fewer large-scale invasions compared
to earlier centuries, Europe's population grew significantly. This created
a demand for more goods and services and fostered urbanization as people
moved to emerging towns for opportunities.
3. Revival of Trade
- Local
and Long-Distance Trade: Renewed trade routes, such as the
Mediterranean trade dominated by Italian cities like Venice and Genoa, and
overland routes connecting Northern and Southern Europe, spurred economic
activity.
- Market
Centers: Many towns began as market centers where agricultural surplus
could be traded, leading to their growth.
4. Political Stability
- Feudalism
and Stronger Monarchies: While feudalism still dominated, many regions
saw increased stability under feudal lords or emerging centralized
monarchies. This allowed for safer travel and trade, which were critical
for urban growth.
- Charters
of Liberty: Towns often gained charters of self-governance from feudal
lords or kings, which encouraged merchants and artisans to settle there.
5. Emergence of Guilds and Crafts
- Economic
Specialization: As towns grew, they became hubs for specialized trades
and crafts. Guilds of artisans and merchants helped regulate quality and
prices, promoting urban prosperity.
6. Religious and Educational Centers
- Church
Influence: Many cities grew around cathedrals, monasteries, or
pilgrimage sites, which attracted visitors, trade, and investments.
- Universities: The establishment of medieval universities in cities like Bologna and
Paris contributed to their growth as centers of learning and innovation.
7. Strategic Locations
- Natural
Advantages: Cities often developed at crossroads of trade routes,
rivers, or ports, making them natural hubs for commerce and governance.
- Fortifications: In an era of frequent small-scale warfare, fortified towns provided
security, attracting settlers.
8. Decline of Viking, Magyar, and Saracen Raids
- By
the 10th century, the cessation of major external invasions allowed for a
more stable environment conducive to economic growth and urban
development.
Examples of Urban Growth
- Cities
like Venice, Genoa, and Pisa thrived on maritime trade.
- Towns
in Flanders (e.g., Bruges and Ghent) became centers of textile
production and trade.
- Paris,
London, and Cologne grew as political, religious, and economic hubs.
The interplay of these factors laid the foundation for the urban landscape that would dominate later medieval Europe.
Groetjes
Joe
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