The Origins Of The Consumer Revolution In England: From Brass Pots To Clocks (themes In Medieval And Early Modern History)

__The Origins of the Consumer Revolution in England__ explores the rise of consumerism from the end of the medieval period through to the beginning of the nineteenth century. The book takes a detailed look at when the 'consumer revolution' began, tracing its evolution from the years following the Black Death through to the nineteenth century. In doing so, it also considers which social classes were included, and how different areas of the country were affected at different times, examining the significant role that location played in the development of consumption. This new study is based upon the largest database of English probate records yet assembled, which has been used in conjunction with a range of other sources to offer a broad and detailed chronological approach. Filling in the gaps within previous research, it examines changing patterns in relation to food and drink, clothing, household furnishings and religion, focussing on the goods themselves to illuminate items in common ownership, rather than those owned only by the elite. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative evidence to explore the development of consumption, __The Origins of the Consumer Revolution__ __in England__ will be of great use to scholars and students of late medieval and early modern economic and social history, with an interest in the development of consumerism in England. List of images vii List of figures ix List of maps x List of tables xi Acknowledgements xiii Abbreviations xiv Introduction 1 1. The consumer revolution 4 2. Sources and their interpretation 26 3. Food and drink 64 4. Clothing 101 5. The home environment 130 6. Religious consumption 182 7. When and where did the consumer revolution take place? 204 8. Social groups 230 9. Who benefited from revolution? 273 10. Conclusions 299 Appendix 309 Glossary 312 Index 315