Markets, Trade and Economic Development in England and Europe, 1050-1550 (Variorum Collected Studies) - Hardcover

Britnell, Richard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0754659836 ISBN 13: 9780754659839

Publisher: Routledge, 2009

Synopsis

England's economy between 1050 and 1550 mirrored that of much of continental Europe in its growing dependence upon trade over both short distances and long. The essays in this collection are the fruit of forty years of research into the complex and interrelated issues involved. Describing this change can be achieved in part through quantitative indices, such as the number and size of towns, markets and fairs, and the volume of monetary circulation. A full account also requires a discussion of widespread changes of work experience, customary practices and moral values as households became more dependent upon markets. In addition, the evidence of transformative commercial growth in the medieval period gives rise to numerous questions concerning its relationship to more modern times. Modern economic growth and modern capitalism have often been contrasted starkly with medieval economic stagnation and traditionalism, but recent research implies a more continuous process of economic development than that implied by these older stereotypes. Many of the items in this collection are also relevant to this more discursive aspect of medieval commercialisation.

About this title

About the Author

Richard Britnell was emeritus Professor of History at the University of Durham and a Fellow of the British Academy, UK

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0754659836
• ISBN 13: 9780754659839
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 350