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In late medieval time we see an increase in the number of leper houses near cities in Northwestern Europe. It is noticeable that these houses are generally located outside the city walls. This segregation of lepers can be traced back to centuries before the Middle Ages. As early as the book of Mozes (Leviticus) there are passages about isolating lepers outside the community. In the late Middle Ages, many city councils decided to make housing and laws to get a grip on this special group of the ill. City councils also have religious motives for founding leprosaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The city of Zwolle, originated on the river Aa, has a multifaceted economic history. Zwolle is primarily known for its status as Hanseatic town. But in its history, its position as a local economic market centre in the Salland region has been of equal importance. The growth and transformation of Zwolle from an agricultural settlement to a fully-fledged city with both local and (inter)national trade interests have left their mark on the urban structure. This article focuses on the links between the urban structure and various economic activities in the history of Zwolle. The shift in the various markets and economic centers of gravity in Zwolle in the period 1200-1700 is schematically mapped out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]