Western Civilization
Outline #18
Professor Knight

The Medieval City

I.  The Foundations of Modern Capitalism
	Growth of Trade and Manufacturing in the Middle Ages
	Cities become producers rather than consumers of wealth

II.  The Mediterranean World
	Venice
		Byzantine Connections
		Venetian Navy
		Profits from Crusades
	Growth of Banking
		Letters of Credit, Double-entry Bookkeeping
			Insurance, Limited Liability Partnerships
		Centers of Banking: Venice, Florence, Milan, Genoa
		Shift in Cultural Values:  (It’s OK to make money)
		Religious obstacles: Usury, Simonry
	Political Organization of Italian Cities
		Competition among cities
		Magnates:  The Urban Aristocracy
		Urban Corporations (Unions of Townspeople)
			Militias
			Assembly (Arengo)
			Consuls
			Podestras (Professional City Managers)

II.  Northern Cities
	Baltic and North Seas: the Mediterranean of the North
	Burgs (Cities growing up around fortified points)
	Flanders Cloth Trade
		Patricians (Owners)
		Masters (Subcontracters)
		Workers (“Blue nails”)
	Guild System
		Apprenticeship
		Journeymen
		Masters
	Fairs
		Champagne
	Contrasting views of London in 1100