England in the Thirteenth Century

by Alan Harding

Overview

This is a comprehensive account of politics, government and society in thirteenth-century England. Three episodes stand out: the revolt of the barons against King John in 1215, the protest against the misgovernment of Henry III which began in 1258, and the resistance to the demands of Edward I on the resources of the land that came to a head in 1297. These political events are placed in the context of social and economic change, in order to provide a rounded account of the century. The introduction demonstrates the constitutional importance given by past historians to the period that saw the framing of Magna Carta and the beginnings of Parliament and statute law. The central chapters describe the developing social structure of peasants, townsmen and professional people, knights, clergy and lay magnates. The book finally sees the politics of the century in terms of royal ambitions to dominate Britain and to play a leading role in Europe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521316125
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/30/1993
Series:	Cambridge Medieval Textbooks
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.83(d)

Table of Contents

Preface and acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Chronological table; 1. Introduction: sources and interpretations; 2. The peasants and the land; 3. Traders and townsmen; 4. Professional people; 5. Knights; 6. Magnates; 7. Thirteenth-century politics; Conclusion: the making of a state; Index.