LiFe AnD DeAtH In MeDiEvAl TiMeS How the town was run


Sometimes when a town became too big for the local lord to govern (or when wealthy merchants in the town gave money to the lord), he would grant a charter to the town. This charter gave the town the power to run its own affairs. It also made every man living in the town a freeman, so he no longer had to do any work for the lord. The townsmen elected a town council. The council then elected a mayor. All punishments and laws were decided by the council and mayor. They were also responsible for the defence of the town.


A town was surrounded by large walls for protection. Sentries (soldiers who watch for attackers) patrolled the walls and guarded the gates. The gates were closed from sunset until dawn the next morning.


Anyone arriving at a gate was asked why they wanted to enter. If they wanted to sell goods they had to pay a toll (tax) to enter.


The houses and shops were built very close together. They were made from wood and thick plaster. Houses could be up to three storeys high. The only buildings made from stone were the town hall and the church.


Two main streets led from the four main gates of the town.


Where these streets met there was a small square. This was the market square. Once a week peasants from the surrounding countryside came to the square to sell their produce. Fruit, vegetables and meat were sold at this market.


Fairs


Once a year a large fair took place. Spices and silk from Asia, exotic food and cloth from Italy and jewellery and new fashions from other lands were bought and sold at the fair. Craftsmen bought new tools and everyone was entertained by jesters, jugglers and musicians. The fair took place just outside the walls of the town and could last for up to three weeks.


4


Fig 4.20 Fairs were held annually in medieval towns – some could last for up to three weeks! 99


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