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During the Middle Ages, the growth of towns weakened the feudal system in several crucial ways. For one thing, it shifted the focus-point for communities from the feudal manor to the local town itself, which was becoming more and more important. For another thing, the wealth of the small but growing "middle class" gave them more and more power with which to use as a new, independent force in the governance of lands once solely governed by the feudal lords.
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What is the growth in the proportion of people living in cities and towns called?
Urban sprawl.
Towns sprang up as a result of the growth of trade encouraged by the Crusades?
True; yes they did.
What led to the development of medieval towns?
Population growth generally (urban population growth involved people migrating from the countryside); urban self-government and protection of crafts through guilds; increased trade; growth of public administration; generally more settled conditions and improved security.
Did the manorial system reduce the need for cities and towns?
Yes
Who gained more power as medieval towns grew?
usually Medieval Towns were part of a kingdom that is ruled by a king. So, technically a king ruled the Medieval Towns ----- In the earlier Middle Ages, the towns were largely under the control of the local lords, who answered to monarchs. But the local lords often lost control of the towns, as merchant and craft groups became stronger, which began in the Early Middle Ages. In the later parts of the Middle Ages, the political power in towns was often held by guilds or groups of guilds acting together. Some towns and cities, called communes, had republican governments. Some were independent of any monarch, and this was especially true in Italy. Others, though locally republican, were at least nominally subject to a king or emperor.
