Modelling the Middle Ages

John Hatcher, Mark Bailey

ISBN 10: 0199244111 / ISBN 13: 9780199244119

Published by Oxford University Press, GB, 2001

About this Item

Most of what has been written on the economy of the middle ages is deeply influenced by abstract concepts and theories. The most powerful and popular of these guiding beliefs are derived from intellectual foundations laid down in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by Adam Smith, Johan von Thünen, Thomas Malthus, David Ricardo, and Karl Marx. In the hands of twentieth-century historians and social scientists these venerable ideas have been moulded into three grand explanatory ideas which continue to dominate interpretations of economic development. These trumpet in turn the claims of 'commercialization', 'population and resources', or 'class power and property relations' as the prime movers of historical change. In this highly original book John Hatcher and Mark Bailey examine the structure and test the validity of these conflicting models from a variety of perspectives. In the course of their investigations they provide not only detailed reconstructions of the economic history of England in the middle ages and sustained critical commentaries on the work of leading historians, but also discussions of the philosophy and methods of history and the social sciences. The result is a short and readily intelligible introduction to medieval economic history, an up-to-date critique of established models, and a succinct treatise on historiographical method.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780199244119

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Modelling the Middle Ages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, GB
• Publication Date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0199244111
• ISBN 13: 9780199244119
• Binding: Hardback
• Edition: Illustrated.
• Condition: New
• Dimensions: 13.46W x 2.29H x 21.08D centimeters 13.46 centimeters width by 2.29 centimeters height by 21.08 centimeters depth
• Weight: 437 grams

About this title

Synopsis

This book surveys the most influential theoretical approaches adopted for the study of medieval economy and society. It offers an accessible introduction to medieval economic history, an up-to-date critique of established models, and a succinct treatise on historiographical method.

About the Author

John Hatcher is at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Mark Bailey is at Leeds Grammar School.