Artisans/Merchants

In the feudal system, artisans and merchants played crucial roles in the economy. Artisans were skilled workers, such as blacksmiths or carpenters, who crafted goods and services for their local communities. Merchants, on the other hand, were traders who bought and sold these goods, often traveling between towns to expand their markets. While they were not part of the nobility, their skills and trade enabled them to gain some wealth and influence, contributing to the growth of towns and the decline of the strictly agrarian feudal structure. They helped foster economic activity outside of the feudal lords' control.