| By the time of the rise of the great universities, quite a few cities and towns had developed. The burghers or the towns, largely the merchants, doctors, lawyers, major civil servants, master tradesmen, and the like, were the "haut bourgeoisie". Many priests and religious were drawn from that class, and even some prelates. Journeyman tradesmen, smaller shopkeepers, apothecaries, and so forth constituted the "petit bourgeoisie", and in some instances, they had a substantial voice in town politics. The also gave quite a few of their offspring to the Church, and often aspired to improve their lot. Journeyman usually succeeded as masters, with the approval of the guild; shopkeepers sometimes expanded; and apothecaries might hope to make doctors of their sons. The middle classes were small, but they were growing and increasingly influential....... |
