Landscape History and Rural Society in Southern England: An Economic and Environmental Perspective

This book explores the interconnections between landscape and the rural economy, using economic and environmental perspectives to analyze case studies in southern England. It combines documentary and landscape evidence, addressing themes such as ecological tensions, communal farming decline, and the impact of economic activity on the landscape. With its original approach and synthesis of different types of evidence, it appeals to a wide range of readers interested in economic, agricultural, environmental, and landscape history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 199 pages
Publication date: 09 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate relationship between landscape and rural economy, employing an economic and environmental lens to explore their historical connections. Through a series of detailed case studies, the author highlights the interconnectedness of these two aspects, shedding light on their mutual influence.

Beginning with an introduction that outlines the author's methodology and the timing of his discoveries, the book proceeds to analyze the interplay between documentary evidence and landscape evidence. Drawing on exceptional firsthand observations of a dozen key sites in southern England, the author delves into a range of topics, including the reclamation of chalk downland, the occupation of low-lying heaths, the reconstruction of parkland, the practice of wool stapling, and the manufacture of gunstocks for the African slave trade.

In addition to these case studies, the book explores various themes related to rural economic history. These include the tension between ecology and institutions in shaping decisions about the location of economic activity, the decline of communal farming in the face of enclosure, and other intriguing puzzles that contribute to our understanding of the past.

What sets this book apart is its innovative approach to questions in economic history. By synthesizing different types of evidence, the author offers a fresh perspective on how economic change was registered in the landscape and how that change was influenced by the landscape itself. This interdisciplinary approach appeals to a wide range of readers, including scholars of economic history, agricultural history, environmental history, and landscape history.

The book is filled with highly original features that make it a valuable contribution to these fields. It explores the complex interplay between human activities and the natural environment, shedding light on the ways in which landscapes have shaped and been shaped by economic processes. Moreover, the book provides insights into the social and cultural dimensions of rural life, highlighting the role of landscapes in shaping community structures, social identities.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of landscape and rural economy. It offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the interconnections between these two aspects, providing a rich and nuanced understanding of the past. Through its synthesis of different types of evidence and its innovative approach, it offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of economic change and its impact on the natural environment.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 146 x 210 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030686185
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021