Ramsey : The Lives of an English Fenland Town, 1200–1600

In a vividly detailed study of the small English market town of Ramsey, the authors examine the inner life of this fascinating community from the twelfth century to the end of the sixteenth century. The book centers on the lives of medieval men and women and explores their social roles, activities, family relationships, and religion. It also considers the spatial and social boundaries that existed between the town's lord - the rich and powerful Benedictine monastery of Ramsey Abbey - and its tenants. In consulting a rich and varied collection of archives from both the town and abbey, the authors have ably produced one of the most comprehensive and multi-layered portraits of everyday living in medieval and early modern England. In A Detailed Study Of The Small English Market Town Of Ramsey, The Authors Examine The Inner Life Of This Fascinating Community From The Twelfth Century To The End Of The Sixteenth Century. The Book Centers On The Lives Of Medieval Men And Women And Explores Their Social Roles, Activities, Family Relationships, And Religion. It Also Considers The Spatial And Social Boundaries That Existed Between The Town's Lord - The Rich And Powerful Benedictine Monastery Of Ramsey Abbey - And Its Tenants. The People Of Ramsey Included Clerics, Knights, And Laborers, And Their Activities Overlapped To The Point That The Infamous Tripartite Division Of Medieval Society - Into Those Who Prayed, Fought, And Worked - Becomes Meaningless. The Book Also Crosses Chronological Boundaries, Moving Through Decades Of Rebellion, Plague, Demographic Turnover, Violence, Bloodshed, And War, And Ending With Religious Upheaval That Spelled The Death Of The 600-year-old Abbey And The Intrusion Of An Ambitious New Lay Landlord With Courtly Connections.--book Jacket. Introduction -- Beginnings -- Big Enough For A Church -- Shifting Alliances -- Living Dangerously -- The Sworn Twelve -- Henry Cromwell And The New Lordship Of Ramsey -- Up The Winding Staircase -- Some Good Occupations -- The Women Of Ramsey -- Family Matters. Anne Reiber Dewindt & Edwin Brezette Dewindt. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 421-443) And Index. System Requirements For Accompanying Cd-rom: Web Browser ; Cd-rom Drive. Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Introduction I. Beginnings II. Big Enough for a Church III. Shifting Alliances IV. Living Dangerously V. The Sworn Twelve VI. Henry Cromwell and the New Lordship of Ramsey VII. Up the Winding Staircase VIII. Some Good Occupations IX. The Women of Ramsey X. Family Matters Epilogue Conclusion Notes Glossary Bibliography Index This is a book about a medieval English town and the men and women who lived there.