Slavery and Serfdom in the Middle Ages: Selected Essays

Marc Bloch was a founder of social history, which explored the dimensions of servitude in medieval Europe. His original articles have been difficult to obtain, but this collection of essays explores the causes for its growth in the Carolingian period and its decline in the thirteenth century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 286 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Marc Bloch, a prominent figure in the field of social history, played a pivotal role in shaping the understanding of the history of social organization and its intricate relationships. While his renowned monographs in medieval history have garnered widespread recognition, accessing his original articles has posed a challenge. The present collection of essays delves into the multifaceted realm of servitude during medieval Europe. During this era, the predominant political dynamics were characterized by feudalism, a hierarchical system that emerged among juridically free individuals. The feudal superstructure rested upon a foundation of unfree masses, encompassing individuals of varying degrees of servility. In these insightful essays, Marc Bloch directed his attention toward the diverse world of slaves and serfs, with a particular focus on the factors that contributed to their growth during the Carolingian period and their decline in the thirteenth century.

This title is proudly presented as part of UC Press' Voices Revived program, a testament to the university press's unwavering commitment to discovering and nurturing the most brilliant minds. By leveraging print-on-demand technology, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again, enriching the intellectual landscape. This particular title, originally published in 1975, stands as a testament to Marc Bloch's enduring legacy and his profound contributions to the study of social history.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520358508