Peasants and Historians

Peasants and historians is an examination of historical discussion of the medieval English peasantry. In this book, the first such study of its kind, the author traces the development of historical research aimed at exploring the nature of peasant society.

The opening chapters discuss initial work in this area by nineteenth- and early twentieth-century historians, as well as the major themes associated with relevant research and writing. In separate chapters, the author examines the three main defining explanations that have been applied to the medieval economy in general. These three explanatory models are defined by, respectively, population change, lord-tenant relations, and commercialisation and development of the market. The main features of debate in each of these main themes are set out and key contributions to each discussed. In subsequent chapters, debates intrinsic to these main themes are also considered in so far as these have featured prominently in the historiography. Debates in relation to demography, family structure, women in rural society and the nature of village community are each considered in turn. A final chapter focuses on the issue of peasant culture and suggests areas of development and, potentially at least, future directions in research and writing. Overall, this book complements other general and specific studies of the medieval English peasantry but, significantly, sets such work within a historiographical context and encourages a nuanced understanding of the themes that feature in this research area.

Offering an informed grounding in the main areas of historical writing in this area, Peasants and historianswill be of interest to researchers as well as to those coming new to the topic, including undergraduate and postgraduate students.