Barcelona and its Rulers, 1096–1291 (Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series, Series Number 26)

Based on extensive archival research, this volume examines the early growth of Barcelona in order to understand the causes of the European economic take-off. The city did not at first grow because of overseas trade but because of market-oriented agriculture and tribute from Islamic Spain. Only after a difficult adjustment did the city develop the commercial foundations that would later ensure its prosperity. Barcelona's patriciate rose to prominence during the second stage of growth, also a period dominated by a struggle for power in Catalonia. Here, the family structure of the patriciate receives close examination, and in general the volume challenges many traditional assumptions about the nature of Mediterranean towns. Based On Extensive Archival Research, This Volume Examines The Early Growth Of Barcelona And The Formation Of Its Ruling Classes And Challenges Many Traditional Assumptions About The Nature Of Mediterranean Towns. Because The City Emerged As A Commercial Centre Later Than Its Rivals, The Transformation Of The Urban Economy From A Regional Agricultural Market Into An International Trading Emporium Is Well Documented And Places The Take-off Of The European Economy In A New Light. Barcelona's Growth Consisted Of Two Distinct Phases, Interrupted By A Long Period Of Stagnation: The First Phase Was Based On Market-oriented Agriculture And Tribute From Islamic Spain, The Second On Craft Production, Finance, And Trade. Barcelona's Patriciate Did Not Emerge At The Beginning Of The Urban Revival But Only During Its Second Stage. Its Rise Formed Part Of A Profound Restructuring Of Territorial Power In Response To The Feudal Crisis That Challenged Traditional Authority Throughout Catalonia. As The Comital Dynasty Gained Strength, Barons And Knights Loosened Their Ties To The City. Unlike Many Mediterranean Towns, Barcelona Never Fell Under The Sway Of An Urban Aristocracy. Patrician Families Did Not Model Themselves After Noble Patrilineages, But Forged Marital Alliances In Which The Wife's Dowry Played A Fundamental Role. 1. The City And Its Region -- 2. The City And Its Lord -- 3. An Aborted Take-off: The Urban Economy In Crisis, 1090-1140 -- 4. Urban Society In Transition -- 5. The Patriciate In Gestation, 1140-1220 -- 6. Family Structure And The Devolution Of Property -- 7. Consolidation And Conflict: Patrician Power And Mediterranean Expansion, 1220-1291 -- 8. Patrician Continuity And Family Identity -- Appendix 1. Vicars Of Barcelona -- Appendix 2. Bailiffs Of Barcelona -- Appendix 3. Coinages And Exchange Values -- Appendix 4. Select Documents -- Appendix 5. Select Genealogies. Stephen P. Bensch. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 423-446) And Index. This volume examines the early growth of Barcelona and the formation of its ruling classes. The city did not at first grow because of overseas trade but because of market-oriented agriculture and tribute from Islamic Spain. Only after a difficult adjustment did the city develop the commercial foundations which would later ensure its prosperity. Barcelona's patriciate rose to prominence during the second stage of growth, its rise forming part of a profound restructuring of territorial power in response to the 'feudal crisis' that challenged traditional authority throughout Catalonia. Patrician families did not model themselves after noble patrilineages, but forged marital alliances in which the wife's dowry played a fundamental role. In this new book the family structure of the patriciate receives close examination and many traditional assumptions about the nature of Mediterranean towns are challenged. Based on extensive research this study examines the early growth of Barcelona in an effort to understand the causes of the European economic take-off. The rise, function and family structure of the city's patriciate is also examined. Many traditional assumptions about the nature of Mediterranean towns are challenged.