Wage Labor & Guilds in Medieval Europe

“Relying on a broad range of printed and secondary sources, Wage Labor and Guilds charts the history of guilds from their antecedents in the Roman Empire to their 'crisis' in the fourteenth century. . . . As a much-needed synthesis, [the book] will serve students well.” — Speculum

“A thoughtful and wide-ranging contribution to the social and economic history of the High Medieval urban milieu.” — Journal of Interdisciplinary History

“Interesting and comprehensive. . . . A major accomplishment.” — Journal of Economic History

“Epstein takes a fresh look at the organization of labor in medieval towns and emphasizes the predominance of a wage system within them. He offers illuminating comment on a wide range of subjects — on guilds and guild organization, on women and Jews in the work force, on the value given labor, and on the sources of disaffection. His book presents a feast of themes in medieval social history.” — David Herlihy, Brown University

Steven A. Epstein, professor of history at the University of Colorado, Boulder, is author of Wills and Wealth in Medieval Genoa, 1150–1250.