ABSTRACT
DURING the period in which the Church teachers sought to mediate between communism and private property, and to modify natural law accordingly, society was based on natural economy. Private property in the soil already existed, but trade was insignificant and a monetary system had scarcely made any headway. The towns which survived from Roman times were depopulated and new towns had not yet taken their places. The Teutonic population of Central and Western Europe regarded the merchant with suspicion, often as a mere thief, when he sold his goods at high prices. Trade was severely condemned by the Roman Synod of November 1078, which was attended by Roman and Gallic bishops and presided over by Gregory VII. Among the resolutions (canons) which were adopted, the fifth stated that the business of the soldier and of the merchant could not be carried on without sin, and that no expiation was possible short of giving up these occupations.
