A Rural Society after the Black Death: Essex 1350–1525 (Cambridge Studies in Population, Economy and Society in Past Time, Series Number 18)

A Rural Society after the Black Death is a study of rural social structure in the English county of Essex between 1350 and 1500. It seeks to understand how, in the population collapse after the Black Death (1348–1349), a particular economic environment affected ordinary people's lives in the areas of migration, marriage and employment, and also contributed to patterns of religious nonconformity, agrarian riots and unrest, and even rural housing. The period under scrutiny is often seen as a transitional era between 'medieval' and 'early-modern' England, but in the light of recent advances in English historical demography, this study suggests that there was more continuity than change in some critically important aspects of social structure in the region in question. Among the most important contributions of the book are its use of an unprecedentedly wide range of original manuscript records (estate and manorial records, taxation and criminal-court records, royal tenurial records, and the records of church courts, wills etc.) and its application of current quantitative and comparative demographic methods. This Is A Study Of Rural Social Structure In The English County Of Essex Between 1350 And 1525. It Seeks To Understand How, In The Population Collapse After The Black Death (1348-1349), A Particular Economic Environment Affected Ordinary People's Lives In The Areas Of Migration, Marriage And Employment, And Also Contributed To Patterns Of Religious Nonconformity, Agrarian Riots And Unrest, And Even Rural Housing. The Period Under Scrutiny Is Often Seen As A Transitional Era Between 'medieval' And 'early-modern' England, But In The Light Of Recent Advances In English Historical Demography This Study Suggests That There Was More Continuity Than Change In Some Critically Important Aspects Of Social Structure In The Region In Question ... [the Study Utilizes A] Wide Range Of Original Manuscript Records (estate And Manorial Records, Taxation And Criminal-court Records, Royal Tenurial Records, And The Records Of Church Courts, Wills Etc.) And [applies] Current Quantitative And Comparative Demographic Methods. (excerpt). List Of Figures -- List Of Tables -- Preface -- Abbreviations -- Reflections On A Transitional Era -- Country-dwellers, Common Folk And Craftsmen -- The Total Sum Of All Persons -- While It Is So Forward Between Us -- She Came That Day Seeking Service -- Beware Of Such Holy Men -- Synthesis -- Bibliography -- Index. L.r. Poos. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 308-325) And Index. In 1502 in the Essex parish of Walthamstow, a labourer named Richard Gamone drew up his last will and testament. This is a study of rural social structure in the county of Essex between 1350 and 1500.