Barcelona and its rulers, 1096-1291 /
Based on extensive archival research, this volume examines the early growth of Barcelona and the formation of its ruling classes and challenges many traditional assumptions about the nature of Mediterranean towns
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| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge [England] ; New York :
Cambridge University Press,
1995
Cambridge [England] ; New York, NY, USA : 1995 Cambridge, UK ; New York, NY, USA : 1995 Cambridge [England] ; New York : 1995 |
| Series: | Cambridge studies in medieval life and thought ;
4th ser., 26 Cambridge studies in medieval life and thought ; 4th ser., v. 26 Cambridge studies in medieval life and thought 4th ser., 26 Cambridge studies in medieval life and thought 4th ser., v Cambridge studies in medieval life and thought ; 4th ser., 26 Cambridge studies in medieval life and thought ; 4th ser., v. 26 |
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| Summary: | Based on extensive archival research, this volume examines the early growth of Barcelona and the formation of its ruling classes and challenges many traditional assumptions about the nature of Mediterranean towns Based on extensive archival research, this volume examines the early growth of Barcelona and the formation of its ruling classes and challenges many traditional assumptions about the nature of Mediterranean towns. Because the city emerged as a commercial centre later than its rivals, the transformation of the urban economy from a regional agricultural market into an international trading emporium is well documented and places the take-off of the European economy in a new light. Barcelona's growth consisted of two distinct phases, interrupted by a long period of stagnation: the first phase was based on market-oriented agriculture and tribute from Islamic Spain, the second on craft production, finance, and trade. Barcelona's patriciate did not emerge at the beginning of the urban revival but only during its second stage. Its rise formed part of a profound restructuring of territorial power in response to the "feudal crisis" that challenged traditional authority throughout Catalonia. As the comital dynasty gained strength, barons and knights loosened their ties to the city. Unlike many Mediterranean towns, Barcelona never fell under the sway of an urban aristocracy. Patrician families did not model themselves after noble patrilineages, but forged marital alliances in which the wife's dowry played a fundamental role Barcelona's patriciate did not emerge at the beginning of the urban revival but only during its second stage. Its rise formed part of a profound restructuring of territorial power in response to the "feudal crisis" that challenged traditional authority throughout Catalonia. As the comital dynasty gained strength, barons and knights loosened their ties to the city. Unlike many Mediterranean towns, Barcelona never fell under the sway of an urban aristocracy Because the city emerged as a commercial centre later than its rivals, the transformation of the urban economy from a regional agricultural market into an international trading emporium is well documented and places the take-off of the European economy in a new light. Barcelona's growth consisted of two distinct phases, interrupted by a long period of stagnation: the first phase was based on market-oriented agriculture and tribute from Islamic Spain, the second on craft production, finance, and trade Patrician families did not model themselves after noble patrilineages, but forged marital alliances in which the wife's dowry played a fundamental role |
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| Item Description: | This WorldCat-derived record is shareable under Open Data Commons ODC-BY, with attribution to OCLC |
| Physical Description: | xviii, 457 p. : ill. ; 23 cm xviii, 457 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm xviii, 457 p. ; 22 cm xviii, 457 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm xviii, 457 pages : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (p. 423-446) and index Includes bibliographical references (p.423-446) and index Includes bibliographical references (pages 423-446) and index Includes bibliographical references and index |
| ISBN: | 0521435110 (hardback) 0521435110 9780521435116 (hardback) 9780521435116 |