The Medieval Village

This still valuable 1925 work examines the medieval village throughout Europe. It covers all aspects of ordinary peasant life.

G. G. Coulton (Author)

9781108010719, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 29 July 2010

648 pages, 20 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 3.6 cm, 0.81 kg

First published in 1925 as part of the Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought series, Coulton's The Medieval Village was an expanded version of lectures given at University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. Although a rigorous academic, who stressed the importance of using primary sources, Coulton was skilled at making medieval history accessible to a wider audience. He played an important role in encouraging interest in the study of social and economic, rather than political and military, history of the Middle Ages among younger scholars. In the present work, he used his extensive reading to discuss all aspects of peasant life throughout medieval Europe. He covers a wide range of topics, including the peasants' legal status and access to justice, their relationship with the Church, their landlords, and their work and aspects of daily life. The result is a fascinating picture of medieval life for the common man.

General preface
Author's preface
List of illustrations
Abbreviations and authorities
1. The open road
2. Village development
3. A few cross-lights
4. A Glastonbury manor
5. The sporting chance
6. Bans and monopolies
7. The manor court
8. Life on a monastic manor
9. Fatherly government
10. The lord's power
11. Earlier revolts
12. Monks and serfs
13. The chances of liberation
14. Legal barriers to enfranchisement
15. Kindly concessions
16. Justice
17. Clearings and enclosures
18. Church estimates of the peasant
19. Religious education
20. Tithes and friction
21. Tithes and friction (continued)
22. Poverty unadorned
23. Labour and consideration
24. The rebellion of the poor
25. The rebellion of the poor (continued)
26. The dissolution of the monasteries
27. Conclusion
Appendixes
Index.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural history [HBTB]