Rural history in the North Sea area : an overview of recent research, Middle Ages - twentieth century

This volume describes the outlines of the 'state of the art' in the field of rural history for countries such as England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Northern France. The contributing authors, all outstanding specialists in the field, present an overview of the most important publications regarding the areas covered. They also point to the most important research topics as well as indicating the most important lacunae in the field of rural history during the last decades. The original texts of this book formed the basis of the international research group CORN, which studies the economic development of the Northern European countryside in a comparative way. The regional monographs are preceded by a short methodological introduction concerning the comparative methods used by this network as well as the possible pitfalls and problems. List of contributors 7 Editors preface 9 Introduction 1. Comparative rural history in the spotlight: past experiences and recent developments / Leen VAN MOLLE and Erik THOEN 11 2. CORN: a step forward towards a 'new rural history' / Erik THOEN 33 England 3. English agrarian history before 1850: an historiographic review / Bruce M. S. CAMPBELL and Mark OVERTON 35 4. English agrarian history after 1850: a review of recent scholarly achievement / Edward J. T. COLLINS 73 France 5. The rural history of France in the Middle Ages: the current state of research / John DRENDEL 95 6. The benefits of a historiographical crisis: the study of French rural history (c. 1500-1800) during the last fifty years / Gérard BÉAUR 119 Germany 7. German agrarian history during the second half of the twentieth century / Peter BUCKLE 147 Belgium 8. The rural history of Belgium in the Middle Ages and the 'Ancien Régime': sources, results and future avenues for research / Erik THOEN with the collaboration of Guy DEJONGH 177 9. Belgian agrarian and rural history, 1800-2000 / Eric VANHAUTE and Leen VAN MOLLE 217 The Netherlands 10. Dutch rural economy and society in the later medieval period (c. 1000-1500): an historiographical survey / Peter HOPPENBROUWERS 249 11. Dutch agricultural history c. 1500-1950: a state of research / Jan BIELEMAN 283 12. Dutch rural history c. 1600-2000: debates and selected themes / Piet VAN CRUYNINGEN 295 Comparative Rural History In The Spotlight : Past Experiences And Recent Developments / Leen Van Molle And Erik Thoen -- Corn : A Step Forward Towards A New Rural History / Erik Theon -- English Agarian History Before 1850 : An Historiographic Review / Bruce M.s. Campbell And Mark Overton -- English Agarian History After 1850 : A Review Of Recent Scholarly Achievement / Edward J.t. Collins -- The Rural History Of France In The Middle Ages : The Current State Of Research / John Drendel -- The Benefits Of A Historiographical Crisis : The Study Of French Rural History (c. 1500-1800) During The Last Fifty Years / Gérard Béaur -- German Agarian History During The Second Half Of The Twentieth Century / Peter Blickle -- The Rural History Of Belgium In The Middle Ages And The Ancien Régime : Sources, Results And Future Avenues For Research / Erik Thoen With The Collaboration Of Guy Dejongh -- Belgian Agarian And Rural History, 1800-2000 / Eric Vanhaute And Leen Van Molle -- Dutch Rural Economy And Society In The Later Medieval Period (c. 1000-1500) : An Historiographical Survey / Peter Hoppenbrouwers -- Dutch Agricultural History C. 1500-1950 : A State Of Research / Jan Bieleman -- Dutch Rural History C. 1600-2000 : Debates And Selected Themes / Piet Van Cruyningen. Edited By Erik Thoen & Leen Van Molle. Includes Bibliographical References.