The High Middle Ages (c. 1000–1300) saw a significant revival of trade and the growth of towns (or 'burghs').

This urban growth was fueled by agricultural improvements that created food surpluses and population growth.

Merchants and artisans organized themselves into guilds, which regulated trade, set quality standards, and protected their members' interests.

Many towns acquired a 'charter' from a king or a local lord, which granted them legal rights and a degree of self-government.

The growth of towns led to the emergence of a new social class, the bourgeoisie or middle class, whose wealth came from commerce, not land.

The urban economy was based on cash, which began to undermine the land-based feudal and manorial systems.

Medieval towns were often characterized by defensive walls, narrow streets, and a central marketplace.

These towns became centers of freedom and opportunity, as reflected in the German saying, 'City air makes you free.'

The rise of towns created new demand for goods and stimulated long-distance trade networks.

Universities were often established in these new urban centers, making them hubs of intellectual life.