The Medieval City

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The Medieval City (Greenwood Guides to Historic Events of the Medieval World) by Norman Pounds

Review
“Covering the era from the decline of Rome to the end of the medieval period, historian Pounds shows how the medieval city grew as an economic entity from a place where craftspeople could gather and make use of local resources to the growth and distribution of wealth and the influence on general welfare of both. He provides biographies of leading players in urbanization, case studies of cities and a range of primary documents on street life, citizenship, sanitary conditions, urban charters, and histories of specific English cities, as well as illustrations and an annotated bibliography.”–Reference & Research Book News/Art Book News Annual

“[C]ollege-level recommended, and also a pick high school libraries can use: an excellent historical background and introduction....[w]ill find its place in many a high school library as well, joining others in the 'Greenwood Guides to Historic Events of the Medieval World' series in covering Medieval life in cities and towns. From dangers of everyday living to different aspects of religious and social life, chapters use annotated primary documents and descriptions to lend authenticity to a coverage perfect for school research projects.”–MBR Bookwatch

Product Description
After a long decline in urban life following the fall of the Roman Empire, towns became centers of trade and of liberty during the medieval period. Here, the author describes how, as Europe stabilized after centuries of strife, commerce and the commercial class grew, and urban areas became an important source of revenue into royal coffers. Towns enjoyed various levels of autonomy, and always provided goods and services unavailable in rural areas. Hazards abounded in towns, though. Disease, fire, crime and other hazards raised mortality rates in urban environs. Designed as an introduction to life of towns and cities in the medieval period, eminent historian Norman Pounds brings to life the many pleasures, rewards, and dangers city-dwellers sought and avoided. Beginning with a look at the Roman Empire's urban legacy, Pounds delves into Urban Planning or lack thereof; The Urban Way of Life; The Church in the City; City Government; Urban Crafts and Urban Trade, Health, Wealth, and Welfare; and The City in History. Annotated primary documents like Domesday Book, sketches of street life, and descriptions of fairs and markets bring the period to life, and extended "biographical" sketches of towns, regions, and city-dwellers provide readers with valuable detail. In addition, 26 maps and illustrations, an annotated bibliography, glossary, and index round out the work.

About the Author
NORMAN POUNDS is an eminent historian of the medieval period and the author of numerous works, including The Economic History of Medieval Europe, Hearth and Home: A History of Material Culture, and The Culture and History of the English People: Iron Age to the Industrial Revolution.