This book analyses the economic and social development of Britain and Ireland between 1050 and 1530. It compares economic institutions, the structure of production and rates of economic development and is richly supplied with up-to-date evidence. After considering the principal geographical, cultural and political constraints on economic development, the book examines in detail the development of towns and trade, settlement patterns, agriculture and relations between lords and tenures. The book is structured so that it can be used on both short courses and longer ones, with the material divided at 1300 in order to facilitate its adaptation for different study needs.

...a superb textbook covering the economy of the British Isles from 1050 to 1530...What makes this book so valuable [...is] its comprehensiveness and sure-footed approach throughout...the book is likely to be the standard work on the topic for many years to come...a tour de force of intelligent assessment and penetrating insight. * John Langdon, University of Alberta *
By any standard, this book is an impressive achievement ... this book is the definitive statement of our times about those more distant times. * H.B. Clarke, The Ricardian *
This important book represents the first meaningful attempt to provide an overview of the economy and society in Britain and Ireland during the middle ages. * The English Historical Review *

Richard Britnell is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Durham. He has written extensively on this period of British history.