Property, Power and the Growth of Towns: Enterprise and Urban Development,1100-1500

Local enterprise, institutional quality and strategic location were of central importance in the growth of medieval towns. This book, a study of 112 English towns, emphasises these key factors. This book takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from the disciplines of economics and history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 292 pages
Publication date: 05 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The development of medieval towns was significantly influenced by a combination of factors, including local enterprise, institutional quality, and strategic location. This comprehensive book, which comprises a study of 112 English towns, highlights these crucial elements. Situated along major rivers, downstream locations facilitated international trade, stimulating the local processing of imports and exports. The early establishment of religious institutions also played a pivotal role, channeling agricultural rental income into the town, where it was spent on luxury goods produced by local craftsmen and artisans, as well as on expensive building schemes. Recognizing the economic potential of these towns, local entrepreneurs embarked on the development of residential suburbs, attracting wealthy residents. At the same time, town authorities invested in the construction and maintenance of bridges, gates, walls, and ditches, often with financial support from affluent residents. Moreover, royal lordship provided towns with direct access to the king, bypassing local power brokers such as bishops and earls.

The enduring impact of medieval investment can still be observed in the streets of prominent towns today. To further explore this legacy, this book delves into the detailed topography of seven key medieval towns: Bristol, Gloucester, Coventry, Cambridge, Birmingham, Shrewsbury, and Hull. By utilizing rentals, deeds, and surveys, it provides a comprehensive account of urban properties, their owners, and tenants. Employing statistical techniques previously applied to the early modern and modern periods, the book analyzes the influence of location and property type on property values. Notably, it reveals that certain features of the modern property market, such as spatial autocorrelation, were already present in the middle ages. Furthermore, the book identifies property hot-spots with high rents, shedding light on the value of certain areas within medieval towns.

In conclusion, this book offers valuable insights into the growth and development of medieval towns, emphasizing the importance of local enterprise, institutional quality, strategic location, and the legacy of medieval investment. By examining the topography of these towns and analyzing the impact of location and property type on property values, it sheds light on the complex dynamics that shaped the urban landscape during this period.

Weight: 574g
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032000923