Six articles deal with aspects of changes in the Medieval town, interactions in the physical and social development of the town, including infrastructure, structural changes and continuity/discontinuity. Four articles concern town functions both on a local, regional and international level. Focus is on social structures, the role of the aristocracy and the interpretation of the town and its functions are introduced. In several articles traditional research approaches are questioned and new methodological approaches are suggested. Even the concept of urbanisation is questioned.