Mills in the medieval economy : England, 1300-1540 / John Langdon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Langdon, John.

Contributor:

John Lammey Stewart Memorial Library Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Food industry and trade--England--History--To 1500.

Food industry and trade.

Mills and mill-work--England--History--To 1500.

Mills and mill-work.

Economic conditions.

History.

England--Economic conditions--1066-1485.

England.

England--Economic conditions--16th century.

Physical Description:

xx, 369 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, [2004]

Summary:

The late medieval English milling industry epitomizes one of the most important technical achievements of early societies: the exploitation of wind, water and muscle power for augmenting human endeavours. Through a computerized analysis of the number and variety of mills in England from 1300 to 1540, as well as the technology, practices and personnel sustaining them, Langdon reveals the structural evolution of the milling industry, highlighting both its accomplishments and its limitations. Although it focuses on England during the later middle ages, the book's innovative methodologies and original findings will furnish useful comparative material for all scholars investigating pre-industrial societies. It also offers a challenging new perspective on the later middle ages as a time of change, in addition to providing enthusiasts of old technologies generally with a wealth of detail about one of the most recognizable and enduring features of medieval society.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [335]-351) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the John Lammey Stewart Memorial Library Fund.

ISBN:

0199265585

OCLC:

56117773