huge role in shaping the modern middle class in Western Europe played free citizens.The main engine of reform in the Middle Ages there were people living in large settlements, each of which called themselves "burger."This word later became a universal symbol of free and wealthy people living in European cities.
burghers in the early Middle Ages
In the early Middle Ages burger - a fortified settlement or a resident living next to the cathedral or church.In those dashing times temples and churches were not only for worship but also played the role of a safe place during the raids, wars and natural disasters.Churches and temples are strengthened for greater security, and those who sought to protect their walls, necessarily themselves become defenders of the sacred place so gradually transformed the word "burger" - from an ordinary citizen of the fortified village, he becomes his protector.
Burger high Middle Ages
From the thirteenth century, the concept of burghers spread to all cities of northern and central Europe.The term "burger" is now embedded a completely different meaning.Burger - a member of the economic independence of the civil estate;citizen, taking part in the management of their city and even the state.Burgertum combines middle-class society, which represents the interests of free citizens, traders, artisans.Burger as a free man, contrasted vassal - a person dependent.With the expansion of trade relations, more urban cities receive (Magdeburg) law - and hence a greater number of citizens had the right to call themselves burghers.They do not belong to any plebeian masses, nor to the ancient noble families.Basically, this emerging middle class could be organized opposition to feudalism and medieval church.
Confrontation Church
Under feudalism, the main purpose of which is put in front of a burger - it's privileges and liberties of his native city, participation in local government.In addition, the burghers directed their protests against the lush and ceremonial Catholic rites.Burghers, like the bourgeoisie, sought a simple, cheap church worship in plain language.The discontent of the masses Catholicism educated urban population and was the cause of the famous "95 theses" of Martin Luther.Thus arose the Protestant / Lutheran / within the Christian church.
Movement followed by the appearance of the Reformation Lutheran Church would have been impossible without the participation of the burghers.Burghers gave rise to the bourgeoisie - the third class.Since the XIII century, that the burghers who are best known monuments tell of art and architecture, perfectly preserved in numerous German cities.Sponsors and benefactors of scientists, writers and artists, they have left a deep mark in history precisely because of its support for the outstanding artists of his time.
