The Economy of Early Renaissance Europe, 1300 1460

By Harry A. Miskimin

Book Overview

In his unique analysis of the economic structure of early Renaissance Europe, Harry A. Miskimin uses topical economic concepts to examine the far-reaching changes that drew the monarchs of Europe ever further into the management of economic affairs between 1300 and 1460. He shows in colourful detail how the political power of European kings rose during these centuries as they increasingly became the centers of economic strength, and as money replaced personal allegiance as an index of authority.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 052129021X
• ISBN13: 9780521290210
• Release Date: September 1975
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Lovely Read

Miskimin's portrayal of the economy of the Early Renaissance period of Europe is spot on and interesting to read. Too often, scholars of economic history either write solely for those with intensive economic training, or dumb down thier arguements to the point that there is nothing of substance left. This author does neither. Instead, he explains the economy of this time period with the assumption thaat the reader is a fairly well-educated person who is interested in the subject and time period. Miskimin's treatment of the time period goes through many economic occurances, in depth and interestingly. Topics covered includes the population growth of the early 1300's, the effect of the famine of 1318 and the black death of the 1340's, the varying wars of the time period, trade patterns in europe, monetary control, the bullion crisis, and the development of humanism. This book is written well and with the causual scholar in mind, although the more serious amongst us can find percious gems of info in this book. I love it, because it gave me an idea for my undergraduate thesis and specialization for graduate school. Without this book, I would not be doing what I am doing, so it must be good! also, the next one he wrote about the economy of later renaissance europe 1460-1600 is great as well.