3 - Cloth Trade in the Iberian Kingdoms during the Late Middle Ages

Summary

General Background: Economic Expansion of Feudal Europe and Development of Long Distance Trade During The 12^th and 13^th Centuries

From the 11^th century Europe had enjoyed a long period of economic growth that promoted a significant increase of the levels of population and agrarian production. New lands were put under cultivation and extensive territories were conquered. The economic growth was simultaneous with a process of increased commercialisation of the economy. This triggered both the multiplication of local markets and the foundation of new towns, and encouraged the development of long-distance trade. Many commodities were traded between distant regions, but among them textiles stand out. Certain European regions, mainly in the Low Countries and northern and central Italy, specialised in the production of quality textiles for export to distant markets, and were able to feed an increasing population through grain imports. In contrast, other European regions became importers of textiles. That was the case of the Iberian Christian kingdoms.

THE Decline of Islam and The Expansion of The Christian Kingdoms and The Consequences Thereof for Textile Manufacture

During the 12^th and 13^th centuries the territorial expansion of the Christian kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula progressed rapidly. As a result of this process of military expansion, al-Andalus became reduced to a small and marginal territory, the emirate of Granada, in the east of what is now Andalucía, which continued under Muslim rule until 1492. Extensive areas of land were incorporated into the Christian kingdoms in a relatively short period of time. As a result, societies with a strong military component developed in each of these kingdoms. The abundance of resources for a relatively small population made it possible for a large group of people to enjoy a relatively high standard of living and purchasing power. Accordingly there were not many incentives in these militarized societies for the development of their own manufacturing activities, since many of the inhabitants could obtain good incomes from the performance of military activities. Therefore they became accustomed to acquiring in the market many of the commodities they consumed. Most of these commodities were imported from other European countries, like northern and central Italy, the Low Countries, France and England.