Western Civilization I / Unit 11 WC1 1016 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Towns Reborn: A Year and a Day, Charters, Sixfold Cities
Captions available
The idea
A serf who lived a year and a day in a town was free. Cities grew up to sixfold, the anchor says, and merchant leaders rose beside landed lords. Town charters bought practical independence for stable taxes under nominal royal or lordly authority.
In practice
Migration east and north into new land.
Where people slip
Independence was practical, not legal. The lord kept the name.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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