- To attract settlers to their lands.
- To encourage economic development.
- To reward loyal followers.
- To establish or confirm legal rights and privileges.
- To foster a sense of community and identity among the people living on their lands.
In many cases, charters granted by lords during the eleventh century were a response to the changing social and economic conditions of the time. As the population of Europe grew, there was an increasing demand for land. This led lords to grant charters to new settlers in order to attract them to their lands and to encourage them to clear and cultivate the land. In addition, as trade and commerce began to develop, lords began to grant charters to towns and cities in order to encourage economic development. These charters often gave towns and cities the right to hold markets, to collect tolls, and to establish guilds.
Charters also played a role in establishing and confirming legal rights and privileges. For example, some charters granted by lords gave their tenants the right to inherit their land, while others gave them the right to participate in local government. In addition, charters often specified the services that tenants owed to their lord, such as military service, labor, and rent.
Finally, charters also served to foster a sense of community and identity among the people living on a lord's lands. By granting charters, lords were able to create a sense of shared rights and responsibilities among their tenants. This sense of community was important in maintaining social order and stability during a time of great change.