Middle Ages Economic System

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The economic system of the Middle Ages depended strongly on the social class system, agriculture, and the prominent skilled trade and craftsman professions of the time period. When the Norman invasion occurred at the beginning of the Middle Ages early in the 11th century, the institutions of manorialism, serfdoms and guilds were imposed and transformed to what was similar to the setup of how manorial institutions were throughout most of Europe. Medieval society relied on the setup of market systems as well as a large agriculture system for their market economy because it provided the necessary essentials for everyday life. Manorialism is considered to be one of the most imposed and essential structures of Middle Age economy. The system provided…show more content…
It also gave way to opportunities in agriculture advancements such as the three field system. The three field system was a different approach from the previous two field system because it changed from leaving half the field fallow to leaving only one third. In the other two thirds, farmers were able to plant two different harvests a year, reducing the risk of crop failure and famine. It also helped strengthened the economy and provided more opportunities for peasant jobs. In addition to farming, the farmers also kept sheep and other animals that were tended to and used for meat and…show more content…
Products like wood, clay, glass and iron were essential to estates because they were used in buildings, homes, pottery, and tools. Craftsmen, also known as artisans,included weavers, shoemakers, masons, blacksmiths, tailors and carpenters. Other common jobs included working as bakers, beer brewers, millers and vintners. The increase of trade throughout manor towns and across Europe made the role of merchants extremely valuable to medieval society. While agriculture remained the main source of the economy, there was increased productivity that allowed the economy to expand beyond agriculture. Other occupations, such as mining and forestry, began to be adopted by manors and medieval towns as well. The economic expansion led to the growth of merchant trading. Merchants began traveling across countries selling, buying and trading goods and products as an increased source of income to bring back to their estates. Products such as cloth, food, spices, and jewelry were also important items amongst merchant

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