A huge role in the formation of modernThe middle class in Western Europe was played by free citizens. The main engine of reforms in the Middle Ages were people living in large populated areas, each of which called itself a "burgher". This word later became a universal symbol for free and wealthy people living in European cities.
In the early Middle Ages, the burgher is a residenta fortified settlement or living next to a cathedral or a church. In those dashing times, churches and churches served not only for worship, but also played the role of the safest place during raids, wars and natural disasters. Churches and temples were strengthened for greater security, and those who sought protection within their walls, unwillingly themselves became protectors of the sacred place, so gradually the meaning of the word "burgher" was transformed - from an ordinary resident of a fortified settlement, he becomes his protector.
Since the thirteenth century, the concept of burgheryspread to all the cities of northern and central Europe. The concept of "burgher" now invests a completely different meaning. The Burger is a member of an economically independent civil estate; a citizen taking part in the management of his city and even the state. Burgertum unites a middle class society representing the interests of free citizens, traders, craftsmen. The burgher, as a free man, is opposed to a vassal - a dependent person. With the expansion of trade ties, more cities received city (Magdeburg) law - and therefore a greater number of citizens had the right to call themselves burghers. They did not belong to the plebeian mass, nor to the ancient noble families. Basically this nascent middle class could become an organized opposition to medieval feudalism and the church.
Under feudalism, the main goal thata burgher is the privileges and liberties of the native city, participation in local self-government. In addition, the burghers directed their protests against lavish and ceremonial Catholic rites. The Burghers, like the bourgeoisie, sought a simple, cheap church with divine services in understandable language. Dissatisfaction with the Catholicism of the broad masses of the educated urban population and was the reason for the appearance of the famous "95 theses" of Martin Luther. Thus emerged a Protestant / Lutheran / current in the Christian church.
The movement of the Reformation with the subsequent emergenceLutheran Church would have been impossible without the participation of burghers. The bourgeoisie gave rise to the bourgeoisie - the third class. Since the XIII century, who are such burghers, the best known monuments of art and architecture, well preserved in numerous German cities, will best tell. Sponsors and benefactors of scientists, writers and artists, they left a deep trace in history thanks to their support of outstanding masters of their time.
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