Women, Work, and Life Cycle in a Medieval Economy: Women in York and Yorkshire c.1300-1520 (Oxford University Press Academic Monograph Reprints)

This is an innovative analysis of the relationship between women's economic opportunity and marriage in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. It is based on an intensive study of York and Yorkshire, but also utilizes evidence from other parts of England and continental Europe. P.J.P. Goldberg explores the role of women in the economy and the part that marriage played in their lives. Importantly, he challenges the Wrigley and Schofield thesis of nuptiality: his analysis of the demography of marriage demonstrates that in late medieval Yorkshire women participated strongly in the labor force, deferring marriage or avoiding it entirely. This is a stimulating and intelligent book, which makes an important contribution to our understanding of medieval ways of life. "This is a scholarly and original study of the relationship between women's economic opportunity and marriage in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. It is based on an intensive study of York and Yorkshire, but also utilizes evidence from other parts of England and continental Europe."--BOOK JACKET. "P. J.P. Goldberg explores the role of women in the economy and the part that marriage played in their lives. The challenges the Wrigley and Schofield thesis of nuptiality: his analysis of the demography of marriage demonstrates that in late medieval Yorkshire women participated strongly in the labour force, deferring marriage or avoiding it entirely. This is a stimulating and intelligent book, which makes an important contribution to our understanding of medieval ways of life."--Jacket Frontmatter List of Figures (page x) List of Maps (page x) List of Tables (page xi) List of Abbreviations (page xiii) 1. Introduction (page 1) 2. York and the Regional Economy in the Later Middle Ages (page 39) 3. Women and Work (page 82) 4. Servants and Servanthood (page 158) 5. Marriage in Town and Country (page 203) 6. Moving to Town (page 280) 7. Patterns of Cohesion and Residence (page 305) 8. Women, Work, and Life Cycle: A Hypothesis Explored (page 324) Appendix I: Probate Evidence (page 362) Appendix II: The Poll Taxes of 1377, 1379, and 1380-1 (page 368) Appendix III: List of Cause Papers Consulted (page 376) Bibliography Manuscript Sources (page 379) Printed Primary Sources (page 380) Secondary Works (page 385) Unpublished Theses and Papers (page 399) Index (page 401) A study of the relationship between women's economic opportunity and marriage in the 14th and 15th centuries, this explores the role of women in the economy and the part that marriage played in their lives. The book is based on a study of York and Yorkshire