The Middle Ages (900-1300)
Because of the collapse of royal authority, the power gradually shifted to local counts and dukes. They fought many small wars to enlarge their bit of territory. They and their vassals were lord and master of the countryside. The farmers were subordinate to them and had to provide for their upkeep.
From the ninth century, trading routes developed along the rivers. The trading posts gradually developed into cities. In time, trade was organised through annual market days. Overland transport routes were established to transport the goods between the cities.
The cities were able to demand and get political autonomy from the local lords. In these cities, a new class of traders and later craftsmen, emerged. The traders dominated the government of the city, but the craftsmen increasingly threatened their position. The 1302 Battle of the Spurs brought the craftsmen into the government of the city.
The county of Flanders experienced the strongest economic growth. It became one of the most densely populated regions of Europe. The textile industry initially established itself in the larger cities, but towards the end of this period, it moved to the smaller cities and the countryside. Its most important product was Flemish cloth, which was shipped to the Baltic via the Northern German Hanseatic League.
Bruges was the pre-eminent port of shipment. When coastal shipping started to gain in importance, Bruges became the transhipment port between the areas around the Mediterranean and the Baltic.
The Maas River area also experienced strong metropolitan growth because of its metal industry.
