The Medieval Context: Society and Economy
Following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, Europe entered what historians once called the "Dark Ages," a time of fragmented political power, invasions, and relative economic stagnation. Over centuries, however, feudalism emerged as the dominant social structure. Lords owned land worked by vassals and serfs, producing primarily for local consumption.
Despite this localized economy, trade routes began to revive, especially from the 10th century onwards. The resurgence of towns and the growth of merchant classes helped create a more interconnected medieval economy. Key trade hubs emerged, including Venice, Genoa, and the Hanseatic League cities of northern Europe. These cities acted as gateways, linking northern Europe with the Mediterranean and beyond.
Medieval Trade Networks
Trade in the Middle Ages was varied and sophisticated. Spices, silk, precious metals, textiles, and luxury goods were imported from Asia and the Middle East via routes like the Silk Road and maritime paths through the Mediterranean. Europeans, in return, exported wool, furs, and other raw materials.
Italian city-states like Venice and Genoa controlled much of the Mediterranean trade and established commercial outposts in the Levant. The Crusades themselves, launched initially to reclaim Jerusalem and other sacred sites from Muslim control, also opened new trade opportunities and cultural exchanges shutdown123