53: To Market, To Market

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In this episode of "I Take History with My Coffee," we explore the critical role markets have played in ensuring fair trade and supporting local economies. We get an overview of different markets from ancient Rome and Greece to the intricate trading systems of medieval Europe, the Islamic world, China, India, and West Africa.

This captivating episode focuses on the fascinating world of medieval markets. We'll explore how simple village exchanges transformed into complex trade networks, culminating in grand international fairs that drew merchants across Europe. Discover the intricate hierarchy of markets that emerged, from local weekly gatherings to bustling urban centers and prestigious events like the Champagne fairs. Learn how this tiered system facilitated commerce and reflected and reinforced medieval society's social stratification. We'll examine how different social classes, from peasants to aristocrats, engaged with various levels of the market system and how the evolution of trade practices and financial innovations laid the groundwork for modern economic structures. Join us for a journey through time that reveals how medieval markets shaped the fabric of European society and set the stage for the global trade networks we know today.

Resources:
Civilization and Capitalism 15th - 18th Century, Volume II, The Wheels of Commerce by Fernand Braudel
The Commercial Revolution of the Middle Ages, 950 -1350 by Robert S. Lopez
The Economy of Early Renaissance Europe, 1300-1460 by Harry A. Miskimin
The Medieval Champagne Fairs: A Crucible of Economic, Social, and Political Change I Take History With My Coffee blog

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Intro Music: Hayden Symphony #39
Outro Music: Vivaldi Concerto for Mandolin and Strings in D