The peasants, who had traditionally constituted a vital part of the town merchants' clientele, now impoverished and forced by their feudal masters to limit their purchases to what was produced or sold within their home estate, largely stopped plying their role in the internal market.
Talupojad, kes moodustasid traditsiooniliselt linnakaupmeeste klientidest elulise osa, olid nüüd vaesunud ja oma feodaalisandate poolt sunnitud piirama oma oste sellega, mida toodeti või müüdi nende kodumõisas, suuresti peatades oma rolli mängimise siseturul.