What were the roles of merchants?

Merchants specifically, played a vital role in the building of extensive networks of exchange of not only goods but of knowledge, ideas, cultures and beliefs.

Who did merchants work for?

By the 15th century, merchants were the elite class of many towns and their guilds controlled the town government. Merchants almost always supported their king, as they needed stability for trade. In exchange, the king would encourage growth and trade.

What did a merchant do in medieval times?

Medieval Merchant – Definition and Description A Medieval merchant would often travel and traffic with foreign countries; a trafficker; a trader. A Medieval merchant would source his supplies and sell them to various customers via shops, markets or Medieval fairs.

What did medieval merchants?

A medieval merchant was a business-person that would travel to trade goods with other villages. A medieval merchant would source his supplies and sell them to various customers at markets or medieval fairs.

When did merchants emerge?

By the time of the Renaissance, which started around the middle of the 15th century, the merchant class in Europe was well established and some of them were very rich. That money paid for the artistic and cultural achievements of the Renaissance.

What did merchants do in feudalism?

Tradesmen called merchants commonly traded items such as salt, iron and textiles. There were also rarer items, such as silk and spices, that came from trades in China and the Middle East. With time, craftsmen produced cloth, made shoes, became brewers (beer makers), made glass and shaped stones for buildings.

What role did merchants play in the Renaissance?

During the Renaissance merchants made use of their knowledge of international markets and trade goods to expand their operations. Some of these merchants became important bankers. They began making loans, transferring funds to different locations, and exchanging various forms of money.

What did the merchants sell answer?

Medieval merchants sold everyday items, such as food, razors, cleaning products, spindles, whetstones, clothing and other household goods. They also traded in luxury products, such as silk, leather, perfumes, jewels and glass. Medieval merchants sourced their supplies and sold to customers in shops and markets.

What challenges did merchants face?

Obstacles. There were many obstacles that a medieval merchant would have to face whilst traveling to the next village or city. The roads between villages were rough, worn and old, this was because no one wanted to spend the money fix them. Another setback was the threat of bandits.