The Commercialisation of English Society 1000-1500

by R. H. Britnell

Overview

The Commercialisation of English Society offers an interpretation of social and economic change in England over five centuries. By 1500 English livelihoods depended more upon money and commercial transactions than ever before; the institutional framework of markets had been transformed and urban development was more pronounced. These changes were not, however, caused by any unilinear development of population, output or money supply. This pioneering study examines both institutional and economic transformation and the social changes that resulted and stresses the limited importance of formal trading institutions for the development of local trade. Commercial transition is throughout analysed from a broader perspective that looks at the changing power relations within medieval society (which might loosely be described as feudal) and considers how these relations were affected by such commercial development.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521141451
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/30/2009
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	300
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

List of figures; List of tables; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Introduction; Part I. 1000–1180: 1. Markets and rules; 2. Trade and specialisation; 3. Lordship; Part II. 1180–1330: 4. Markets and rules; 5. Trade and specialisation; 6. Lordship; Part III. 1330–1500: 7. Markets and rules; 8. Trade and specialisation; 9. Lordship; Conclusions; Bibliography; Index.