Before banks : the making of credit and debt in preindustrial France / Elise M. Dermineur.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dermineur, Elise M., author.

Series:

Cambridge studies in economic history. Second series.

Cambridge studies in economic history. Second series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Finance--France--Alsace--History--18th century.

Finance.

Economic development--France--Alsace.

Economic development.

Debtor and creditor--France--Alsace--History--18th century.

Debtor and creditor.

Alsace (France)--Economic conditions--18th century.

Alsace (France).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xvi, 277 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2025.

Summary:

This innovative work delves into the world of ordinary early modern women and men and their relationship with credit and debt. Elise Dermineur focuses on the rural seigneuries of Delle and Florimont in the south of Alsace, where rich archival documents allow for a fine cross-analysis of credit transactions and the reconstruction of credit networks from c.1650 to 1790. She examines the various credit instruments at ordinary people's disposal, the role of women in credit markets, and the social, legal, and economic experiences of indebtedness. The book's distinctive focus on peer-to-peer lending sheds light on how and why pre-industrial interpersonal exchanges featured flexibility, diversity, fairness, solidarity and reciprocity, and room for negotiation and renegotiation. Before Banks also offers insight into factors informing our present financial system and suggests that we can learn from the past to create a fairer society and economy.

Contents:

Introduction

The setting: mutual arrangements in small communities in the south of Alsace 1650 - 1790

Peer-to-peer lending in non-intermediated credit markets

Intermediated credit: notarial contracts

Women and credit

Insolvency and default

The growing institutionalization of credit

Epilogue: the community of advantage.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 27 Jun 2025).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-009-50263-8

1-009-50260-3

1-009-50261-1