Serfdom in Medieval England Theory and Practice 1200 to 1500
Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
Mark Bailey is Professor of Later Medieval History at the University of East Anglia<p>'A book of outstanding quality that achieves a massive advance in our knowledge and understanding of serfdom...Bailey not only provides the best available account of serfdom in the round, he also addresses and successfully resolves the fierce disputes that have raged over its character and significance from the earliest accounts to the present day...as close to a definitive history of later medieval [English] serfdom as is possible to write'.<br /><b>Professor John Hatcher, University of Cambridge</b></p>
- .,
Serfdom was a coercive relationship between a landowner and peasant, which was widespread across medieval and early modern Europe. It features prominently in major historical debates, such as the origins of capitalism and the divergent pathways of western and eastern Europe to modernity. Scholars have paid particular attention to English serfdom, which is usually portrayed as highly oppressive and a major cause of the Peasants' Revolt in 1381.
This comprehensive survey draws on a vast scholarship and new research to show how, in reality, English serfdom was weak, casting new light on the nature of its society and economy when the Black Death struck in 1348-9. The pandemic now assumes a central role in the rapid decline of serfdom, as illustrated in a case study of the estate of one of England's harshest landowners, St Albans abbey.
Introduction
Part I: Serfdom in theory and practice
1 Serfdom in legal theory
2 Serfdom in practice: freedom and unfreedom
3 Serfdom in practice: certainty and uncertainty
4 Serfdom in practice: access to the law
Part II: Serfdom in England: causes and consequences
5 Causes: explaining the weakness of serfdom
6 Consequences: serfdom and the crisis of the early fourteenth century
Part III: Serfdom in England: the impact of the Black Death through three case studies
7 The Black Death and serfdom
8 The manor of Codicote
9 The manor of Winslow
10 The manor of Norton
11 Serfdom, the Black Death and three manors of St Albans abbey
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Serfdom was a common form of legal and socio-economic exclusion in medieval Europe; reconstructing how it operated enhances our understanding of diversity and its significance in the human past. Furthermore, its operation and decline in medieval England feature prominently in four major debates in economic and social history: the causes of the crisis of the early fourteenth century, the role of the Black Death of 1348–9 in triggering fundamental socio-economic change, the role of class struggle in determining particular pathways of economic development, and the origins of capitalism.
English serfdom is traditionally portrayed as pervasive and oppressive and, as such, a fundamental cause of the pre-plague crisis and the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. This major survey draws on a vast scholarship and original research to show that, in reality, English serfdom was weak in this crucial period. The reasons, and the implications for our understanding of economic change, are explored. As a result of this weakness, the Black Death dealt serfdom a mortal blow long before the revolt, as revealed by three case studies documenting its rapid decline on the estate of St Albans abbey, one of England’s harshest landowners and a key target in 1381.
The book offers insights into the use of theory and evidence in history, and the sizeable gap that could exist between legal norms and actual practice on the ground. It provides the definitive reference point for comparisons with European systems of serfdom.