Medieval Market Morality
Life, Law and Ethics in the English Marketplace, 1200–1500

An examination of the morality, ethics and laws that underpinned all dealings in the marketplaces of medieval England.

James Davis (Author)

9781107633124, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 January 2014

534 pages, 29 b/w illus. 17 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.7 cm, 0.71 kg

'… [an] ambitious and learned book … This book will intrigue readers … a rich study which draws on an exceptionally broad range of primary sources …' Journal of Continuity and Change

This important study examines the market trade of medieval England by providing a wide-ranging critique of the moral and legal imperatives that underpinned retail trade. James Davis shows how market-goers were influenced not only by practical and economic considerations of price, quality, supply and demand, but also by the moral and cultural environment within which such deals were conducted. This book draws on a broad range of cross-disciplinary evidence, from the literary works of William Langland and the sermons of medieval preachers, to state, civic and guild laws, Davis scrutinises everyday market behaviour through case studies of small and large towns, using the evidence of manor and borough courts. From these varied sources, Davis teases out the complex relationship between morality, law and practice and demonstrates that even the influence of contemporary Christian ideology was not necessarily incompatible with efficient and profitable everyday commerce.

Introduction
1. Images of market trade
2. Regulation of the market
3. The behaviour of market traders
4. An evolving market morality?
Conclusion
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Economic history [KCZ], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], British & Irish history [HBJD1]