How did merchants most likely influence medieval culture?

Merchants helped influence medieval culture in a variety of ways. They traded goods with plenty of people, causing an influx of foreign goods into markets nearby. This caused feudal lords living in nearby manors to desire goods that could not be produced inside their manors, thereby loosening their grip on serfs and peasants in favor of greater access to trade. Merchants also began to help increase the size of cities and towns, helping shape early modern governments and nation-states.