This scientific article analyzes the formation of cities in medieval Western Europe, their role in socio-economic life, and the processes of economic growth. The study examines the factors that influenced the emergence of cities, the development of craftsmanship and trade, the specific position of cities within the feudal system, and changes in the composition of the urban population on a scientific basis. Furthermore, the role of medieval cities in the economic development of Europe and their contribution to the formation of modern economic systems are also thoroughly analyzed.

Middle Ages, Western Europe, cities, economic development, craftsmanship, trade, feudalism, guild, market, urbanization

Bloch, M. Feudal Society. Moscow: Nauka, 1986.

Pirenne, H. Medieval Cities: Their Origins and Development. Moscow: Progress, 1991.

Le Goff, J. Medieval Civilization. Paris: Gallimard, 1988.

Duby, G. The Economy and Society in the Middle Ages. London: Routledge, 1974.

Lopez, R. S. The Commercial Revolution of the Middle Ages. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1971.

Braudel, F. Civilization and Capitalism. Moscow: Progress, 1992.

Hilton, R. The Economic Basis of Feudalism. London: Verso, 1975.

North, D. Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1990.

Cipolla, C. M. Economic History of Europe. London: Penguin Books, 1993.