Wage Labor and Guilds in Medieval Europe

Steven A. Epstein (Author)

9780807844984

Paperback / softback, published 28 February 1995

320 pages
22.9 x 15.4 x 2.1 cm, 0.502 kg

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