6.2 Power to the cities

• Geschiedenis
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 1

6.2 Power to the cities

Culemborg became a city with a city charter in 1318

This was the cityhall of Culemborg in the past

[6.1] Which of these is not a cause of urbanisation after 1000 AD?

1. Invention of the heavy plough
2. Guilds
3. Vikings stop invading
4. Invention of the three-field system

[6.1] Name one cause of the development of cities in the Late Middle Ages.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Three field system

[6.1]

Field 1

Field 2

Field 3

Fallow

Summer grains

Winter grains

Fallow

Summer grains

Winter grains

Goals for this lesson

At the end of this lesson you...

• understand how cities became gained more freedom.
• understand who ruled cities in the Late Middle Ages.

The importance 

of cities

• More trade -> cities became richer and more powerful.
• Landlords gathered more taxes from their cities.

One of the gates of Trecht (Utrecht)

Privileges

• Cities did not like paying taxes -> asked for privileges= special rights.
• For example: the privilege to build a city wall, store goods, have a market or make your own coins.

Voorrechten

''Dingen die jij mag doen maar anderen niet''

The Medieval citywall of Culemborg

The FourLander coin (C. 1468-1474)

City charter

• The privileges (special rights for the city) were written down in a contract called a city charter
• Given by the landlord.

City charter of Culemborg (1318)

City charter of Tiel (1371)

Culemborg got their city charter from lord Johan of Beusichem

Burghers from Culemborg don't have to pay taxes at the markets

If you hit someone with your fists, you have to pay a one pound fine

Who calls someone a thief without proof shall be fined 3 pounds

• The privileges (special rights for the city) were written down in a contract called a city charter
• The rights were always given by the landlord.

Medieval city of Tallin in modern day Estonia

Mediaval Cog ship

Gate of the most important Hanseatic city: Lübeck

Cities became more powerfull due to trade

Self-rule of cities

• Mayer: leader of the city and maker of laws.
• Schepen = judges of the city.
• Schout = head of the rakkers (police).
• Together they ruled the cities.

City People

• Free people in the cities were called burghers.
• There were big differences between rich and poor burghers.

[6.2] Which of these statements is true?

1. Cities grew in the Late Middle Ages
2. Cities became less powerfull in the Late Middle Ages
3. Serfs had more freedom than people living in cities
4. Craftsmen were the most powerfull class in medieval cities

Most powerful

Least powerful

Craftsmen and shopkeepers

Common workers and beggars

Merchants and masters of a guild

[6.2] Put the term and meaning together

Head of the schepenen

Special rights, often obtained by nobles or cities

Special contract with city rights

Free people who lived in cities

Schout

Burghers

Privileges

City charter

[6.2] Who could give cityrights to a city?

1. The inhabitants of the city
2. The landlord of the area
3. The burghers (free people) of the city
4. The leader of the local church

Goals for this lesson

At the end of this lesson you...

• understand how cities became gained more freedom.
• understand who ruled cities in the Late Middle Ages.

6.2 Power to the cities

Culemborg became a city with a city charter in 1318

This was the cityhall of Culemborg in the past