Overseas trade flourished at the height of the Roman Empire, when Europe traded with China and the Far East. Many of the popular trade routes fell out of use when the Roman Empire collapsed, but during the Middle Ages, overseas trade once again began to grow.
The Medieval Merchant
Buying and selling overseas was a risky business during this era. A medieval merchant, also known as a mercer, could be occupied buying or selling overseas for months at a time. The journey to and from his trading areas could be hazardous on both land and at sea. To make things worse, because he was carrying valuable goods and cash, he was constantly at risk of attack from robbers.
Early in the period, a merchant was a man who worked independently, making his money where he could. As the Middle Ages progressed, businessmen began to employ groups of merchants, buying fleets of ships to use for overseas export and producing goods specifically for foreign markets.
Many merchants travelled in groups for protection. Larger businesses would send out ‘caravans’, groups of merchants laden with large quantities of goods for sale, who had the protection of numbers when faced with pirates or robbers.
Merchant guilds were among the earliest of medieval town guilds and as towns grew and prospered, particularly from the eleventh century onwards, merchant guilds had considerable power within medieval communities. Many of these guilds organized mutual protection societies, pledging to protect the wagons, horses and goods of their members whilst travelling.
Medieval Trade Routes
The medieval era saw a return to trading between Europe and Asia, which had flourished during the days of the Roman Empire. The ancient Silk Route, which led from China to the Mediterranean, became popular once more, with wealthy Europeans buying luxuries such as silks, spices and precious metals from the East.
Most of the sea trade routes hugged the coast closely, aiming at greater safety for the trading ship. Many ports closed or reduced their trading activities during the Black Death, which hit Europe between 1347 and 1350. It is believed that the plague was brought to Europe via merchant ships from Asia.
Even the most established sea trading routes were plyed by pirates and shipwrecks were often plundered by those who found them. Some land routes were plagued by robbers, who would hide at certain points and attack those who passed by carrying valuables.
Most overseas trade was done during the summer months, when the weather was better for travelling. Medieval roads often became clogged with mud and were almost impassable in the winter months and storms at sea were more of a risk in winter.
Overseas Export in the Middle Ages
Wool was one of the most popular trading commodities in the medieval age. European monasteries some of the largest wool producers during this period. These international communities pooled their knowledge of animal husbandry and sheep breeding and, as such, became noted wool producers.
Wool could be bought and sold in most European countries, but countries in the north of the continent tended to produce better quality wool, perhaps because of their damp, milder climate. Flanders was an important buyer of wool and was noted for producing high quality cloth, which was sold both in the country and overseas.
Africa traded slaves and gemstones to Europe and Europeans bought spices, fine cloths and precious metals from Asia. In turn, Northern European countries exported wine, woollen cloth, salt, copper and wood. Countries such as Spain and Italy, in the southern areas of the continent, specialized in glass, wine and spices. Only goods which would travel well and wouldn’t perish quickly could be used for overseas trade.
Medieval trade laid the foundations for the Industrial Revolution and for European exploration which would follow in the coming centuries. Although overseas trade would be disrupted at times by instances such as plague or war, most countries depended on buying from and selling to foreign markets as a valuable source of wealth.
Sources
Postan, M Medieval Trade and Finance [Cambridge University Press, 1973]
Elliott, Lynne Medieval Towns, Trade and Travel [Crabtree Publishing, 2004]
