ABSTRACT
Distinctive economic conditions encouraged commercialisation, with the rise of regional specialisation, which was reflected in the shape and scope of markets. Medieval markets were limited in range, serving a neighbourhood of perhaps ten miles radius with most of its earthly needs. From the early sixteenth century, markets became fewer but far-reaching, trading specialised products, in bulk, over greater distances. Regional specialisation and exchange allowed districts not blessed with the best arable land to exploit underused resources and capacities, like mining and cloth making. This brought an overall increase in productivity. On the new export-import pattern, marketing became more detached, yet coordinated and self-regulating, which fostered the view that it needed to be left free to work efficiently. Partly because of the increasing trade in agricultural products, a fully-fledged national land-market developed. Land ceased to be just the basis of a stable social balance and became a commodity in itself. Increasingly, consolidated farming units were being bought for cash, and used for profit, which served, like other trends, to promote a heightened sense of property.
