The period between 1050 and 1200 saw a continuation of the trends from the previous century, but there were also new factors that influenced this next phase of urban development. The number of towns in Denmark nearly doubled in this century and half, and there are several underlying causes contributing to this further urbanization. Agriculture underwent important changes in this period, with an increased emphasis on arable farming and new lands brought under cultivation. These developments allowed for an increased food supply, which was necessary to sustain a growing urban population. Also, the Crown and the Church grew more powerful, advancing their interests in towns. For kings, this meant an increased emphasis on regulating trade and coinage for the purposes of taxation, as well as having a hand in the foundation of new towns. For the Church, a reorganization of the diocesan system meant new towns were brought into the administrative fold and new churches were built, thus strengthening the Church's urban presence. Coinciding with the political and religious developments, there was also an economic upswing taking hold in this period. Trade became an increasingly important component of the economy, and new ideas were introduced that worked to incorporate merchants into the medieval worldview. More and more, merchants and artisans became a professional urban class, which had significant implications for this expansive urban growth.

Developments in Agriculture

In the transition from Viking to medieval Denmark, there was a growing emphasis on arable farming as opposed to animal husbandry. The general trend shows a decrease in the number of animals kept. At the village of Vorbasse in western Jutland, for example, the eighth to tenth century settlement was composed of several smaller farms with byres that had room for about 22 animals. By the eleventh century, the main central farm was surrounded by five byres with space for 100 animals, while the surrounding smaller farms had space for altogether 50 animals. By the thirteenth century, a conservative estimate of the livestock found on an average farm would be two horses, two oxen, between two and four cows, and a few sheep. In conjunction with the shift from animal husbandry to cereal production, there was also a change in village structure and layout.