The Creativity and Vitality of the High

Middle AgesChapter 11 McKay

Finance“As medieval rulers expanded territories and extended authority, they required more officials, larger armies, and more money with which to pay them.”

What did this look like?

In EnglandExchequer: Bureau of Finance(1st Institution of government bureaucracy of England)

Sources of Income: Taxes on Peasants, “relief”, “scutage”, tributes, being a feudal lord, etc.

Big Picture: William the Conqueror was extremely effective in his administration of his new kingdom. This is evident with his ability to establish the Exchequer and successfully collect taxes and finances through his sheriffs and record keeping.

Finance

In France:Lagged behind that of England.French Rulers traditionally derived their income from their royal estates in the Ile-de-France.As Phillip Augustus and his successors expanded the power of France, more money was needed.

Sources of Income: Fines, confiscations of property imposed by courts. Townspeople paid “tallage”(Arbitrary tax). “Host Tallage” paid by feudal vassals.

Medieval attitude towards taxation: “Justified only for times of War”This created problems for the French Kings in raising revenue. Not until 14th century was a successful financial bureau established.

Finance

Holy Roman Empire

From what you know…. What do you think?

Finance

Law and JusticeIn England: Henry II extended and developed “Common Law”. Extended to the entire country. Was uniform and secular. (Unusual for Europe at this time)

Clergy was not under this law… Henry II vs. Thomas Becket.

Law and JusticeIn England:Magna Carta: Even the King was subject to the Law.

Stemmed from King John’s failures in war with France and incessant need for money.

Law and JusticeIn France:Even with the expansion of the territory of the French Kings, each province retained its unique laws and procedures.

Louis IX creates Parliament of Paris, a “supreme court” of appeals from local administrators to royal authority. Slowly extended the reach of the of the King through his territory.

Law and JusticeHoly Roman Empire (German States)Landgericht: Regional Magistracies that represented the different lords in the kingdoms.

Rise of TownsMedieval Europe: agricultural and rural.

With the rise of towns, new class emerges from the peasantry: Merchants and Artisans.

Where did Towns come from?

Rise of Towns1) Boroughs: Fortifications built to defend

against Viking Invasions2) Traveling Merchants settling around

fortresses. 3) Monasteries

Town LibertiesSpecial privileges for townspeople:Some Examples….

Liberty from Serfdom (Year +1)Ability to buy and sell goodsExemption from taxes and tolls of visiting merchants. Development of Merchant Laws

Carcassonne , France

Life in a Medieval Town

• Model depicting the York Shambles (butcher's market), from the York Heritage Centre.

The York Shambles Today

Commercial Revolution of the LMA

- Increase in silver from mines across Europe > vast quantities of coinage.

- Demand for new spices for food, wines, etc. - Evolution of merchants form single persons to

three types working together:- Sedentary: Working the “home office”- Carriers who transported goods- Company agents who lived in cities abroad.

Medieval Universities

Medieval UniversitiesOrigins in the clergy and monasteriesLectures in Latin

Scholastics: “School Men”Rested on the recovery of the “classics”. Goal was to arrive at definitive answers and provide rational explanations for what was believed on faith.

Medieval Scribes – The First “IT/Helpdesk”