Town privileges

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'City rights' redirects here. See also: municipal charter.

Town privileges were important features of European towns during most of the second millennium.

Judicially, a town was distinguished from the surrounding land by means of a charter from the ruling monarch that defined its privileges and laws. Common privileges were related to trading (to have a market, to store goods, etc) and the establishment of guilds. Some of these privileges were permanent and could imply that the town obtained the right to be called a city, hence the term city rights. Some degree of self-government, representation in a diet, and tax-relief could also be granted.

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