Medieval Economic Thought

Description

This book is an introduction to medieval economic thought, mainly from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries, as it emerges from the works of academic theologians and lawyers and other sources - from Italian merchants' writings to vernacular poetry, Parliamentary legislation, and manorial court rolls. It raises a number of questions based on the Aristotelian idea of the mean, the balance and harmony underlying justice, as applied by medieval thinkers to the changing economy. How could private ownership of property be reconciled with God's gift of the earth to all in common? How could charity balance resources between rich and poor? What was money? What were the just price and the just wage? How was a balance to be achieved between lender and borrower and how did the idea of usury change to reflect this? The answers emerge from a wide variety of ecclesiastical and secular sources.

Diana Wood is Senior Research Fellow in History, University of East Anglia, and Associate Tutor in Local History, Oxford University Department for Continuing Education. Her publications include Clement VI: the Pontificate and Ideas of an Avignon Pope (Cambridge University Press, 1989).

'In its range and clarity Medieval Economic Thought is an excellent introduction to its topic.' The Agricultural History Review '... well written, very rich of information and really enjoyable for the many references to historical facts about economic policy, mercantile life, customs, etc. It is a good reading for those willing to go deeper in the medieval economic culture, either as an amateur or as a researcher.' History of Economic Ideas