Decline and Growth in English Towns, 1400–1640 (Studies in Economic and Social History)

Part of a series which provides a guide to the current interpretations of the key themes of economic and social history in which advances have recently been made or in which there has been significant debate. Front Matter....Pages 1-8 Introduction....Pages 9-11 The Background to the Controversy....Pages 12-19 Urban Fortunes Before 1450....Pages 20-24 Urban Crisis at the End of the Middle Ages....Pages 25-36 The Problems of Evidence....Pages 37-50 Expansion and Decline 1540–1640....Pages 51-57 Conclusion....Pages 58-63 Back Matter....Pages 64-85 What was the state of English towns between 1400 and 1640? It was once accepted that they were generally in decline or suffering serious problems of poverty and economic crisis. This generalization has been strongly challenged, and this study guides the reader through the controversy. "Prepared for the Economic History Society." Includes bibliographical references (p. 75-82) and index