A Companion to the Worlds of the Renaissance (Blackwell Companions to European History)

This volume brings together some of the most exciting renaissance scholars to suggest new ways of thinking about the period and to set a new series of agendas for Renaissance scholarship. Overturns the idea that it was a period of European cultural triumph and highlights the negative as well as the positive. Looks at the Renaissance from a world, as opposed to just European, perspective. Views the Renaissance from perspectives other than just the cultural elite. Gender, sex, violence, and cultural history are integrated into the analysis. Content: Chapter 1 The Italian Renaissance (pages 21–38): Gene Brucker Chapter 2 The European Renaissance (pages 39–54): Randolph Starn Chapter 3 The Renaissance and the Middle East (pages 55–69): Linda T. Darling Chapter 4 The Renaissance World from the West (pages 70–87): Matthew Restall Chapter 5 The Historical Geography of the Renaissance (pages 88–103): Peter Burke Chapter 6 Governments and Bureaucracies (pages 104–123): Edward Muir Chapter 7 Honor, Law, and Custom in Renaissance Europe (pages 124–138): James R. Farr Chapter 8 Violence and its Control in the Late Renaissance: An Italian Model (pages 139–155): Gregory Hanlon Chapter 9 Manners, Courts, and Civility (pages 156–171): Robert Muchembled Chapter 10 Family and Clan in the Renaissance World (pages 172–187): Joanne M. Ferraro Chapter 11 Gender (pages 188–207): Elissa B. Weaver Chapter 12 The Myth of Renaissance Individualism (pages 208–224): John Jeffries Martin Chapter 13 Social Hierarchies: The Upper Classes (pages 225–242): Matthew Vester Chapter 14 Social Hierarchies: The Lower Classes (pages 243–258): James S. Amelang Chapter 15 Tools for the Development of the European Economy (pages 259–278): Karl Appuhn Chapter 16 Economic Encounters and the First Stages of a World Economy (pages 279–295): John A. Marino Chapter 17 The Subcultures of the Renaissance World (pages 297–315): David C. Gentilcore Chapter 18 High Culture (pages 316–332): Ingrid D. Rowland Chapter 19 Religious Cultures (pages 333–348): R. Po?Chia Hsia Chapter 20 Art (pages 334–365): Loren Partridge Chapter 21 Literature (pages 366–383): James Grantham Turner Chapter 22 Political Ideas (pages 384–402): John M. Najemy Chapter 23 The Scientific Renaissance (pages 403–424): William Eamon Chapter 24 Plague, Disease, and Hunger (pages 425–443): Mary Lindemann Chapter 25 Renaissance Bogeymen: The Necessary Monsters of the Age (pages 444–459): Linda Woodbridge Chapter 26 Violence and Warfare in the Renaissance World (pages 460–474): Thomas F. Arnold Chapter 27 Witchcraft and Magic (pages 475–490): Guido Ruggiero Chapter 28 The Illicit Worlds of the Renaissance (pages 491–505): Ian Frederick Moulton

the Idea Of The Renaissance As A Period Of European Cultural Triumph In Which Great Men Flourished Has Been Largely Demolished In The Last Fifty Years. This Provocative Volume Brings Together Some Of The Most Exciting Scholars Who Led This Attack, To Suggest Different Ways Of Thinking About The Renaissance And Set New Agendas For Research.

the Contributions Focus On Three Major Themes: Transformative Encounters Between Cultures, Ancient And New, High And Low, Within Europe And Beyond; Fascination With All Things Italian; And Social Realignment. In Examining These Themes, The Contributors Look At The Renaissance From A World Perspective, Illuminating The Negative As Well As The Positive, And Integrating Considerations Of Gender, Sex, Violence, And Non-elite Culture. The Vision Of The Renaissance That Emerges Is One Defined By A Wide Range Of Social, Political, Economic, And Cultural Developments Rather Than By The Actions Of A Small Cultural Elite.

The idea of the Renaissance as a period of European cultural triumph in which great men flourished has been largely demolished in the last fifty years. This provocative volume brings together some of the most exciting scholars who led this attack, to suggest different ways of thinking about the Renaissance and set new agendas for research. The contributions focus on three major themes: transformative encounters between cultures, ancient and new, high and low, within Europe and beyond; fascination with all things Italian; and social realignment. In examining these themes, the contributors look at the Renaissance from a world perspective, illuminating the negative as well as the positive, and integrating considerations of gender, sex, violence, and non-elite culture. The vision of the Renaissance that emerges is one defined by a wide range of social, political, economic, and cultural developments rather than by the actions of a small cultural elite. In the vast panorama of European historiography, one book stands out for its success in defining a major epoch.