The success of the great fairs in Champagne was partly due to the protection the counts gave to the merchants. They were quite happy to protect them as the fairs increased their wealth. In fact, within their borders, the Counts organized special faire safe conducts, escorting at their own cost any convoy of merchants wanting to attend the fair. This was a definite attraction on the difficult, unsafe roads of medieval times, when it took six weeks to travel up from Navarre.
In Provins itself, the Counts deployed special fair guards and lieutenants to keep order. They held courts of justice, demanded the payment of sales taxes, witnessed contracts, and settled disputes. They could pursue an offender anywhere in Europe.
The prerogratives granted to the merchants soon gave the fairs a solid reputation, fostered by good commercial practices.
The tradespeople of Provins itself felt the benefit of all this trade, and the local woollen industry expanded considerably, becoming famous throughout Europe.
The fair was also a time of celebration, with music and juggling shows. You must try to imagine the extraordinary bustle of people from all over Europe trading not only in goods, but also in ideas.
Melting pots like this were essential to social progress. Each country contributed some of its influence, and Champagne played a key role in litterature, art and taste.
It was during these good times that the basis for the wealth of the western world was laid, going hand-in-hand with increasingly refined cultural aspirations. Similarly, the Church was importing ivory and precious woods and stones from Africa to decorate religious objects.
This period of flourishing trade gradually declined during the XIVth century as the trade routes shifted to the high Alpine passes and the straits of Gibraltar became more popular for shipping.
The wars of Religion, plague, and the abolition of merchants prerogatives sealed the fate of of the great fairs of Champagne not only in Provins, but also in Troyes, Lagny sur Marne and Bar sur Aube.
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