Presents the latest research on the causes and consequences of British
population change from the medieval period to the eve of the Industrial
Revolution, in both town and countryside
Population, Welfare and Economic Change presents the latest research on
the causes and consequences of British population change from the
medieval period to the eve of the Industrial Revolution, in both town
and countryside. Its overarching concern is with the economic and
demographic decision-making of individuals and groups and the extent to
which these were constrained by institutions and resources. Within this,
the volume's particular focus is on population growth: its causes and
the welfare challenges it posed. Several chapters investigate the
success with which the English Old Poor Law provided care for the poor
and elderly, and new work on alternative welfare institutions, such as
almshouses, is also presented.
A further distinctive feature of this book is its comparative
perspective. By making systematic comparisons between economic and
demographic developments in pre-industrial Britain and those taking
place in various regions of contemporary Continental Europe and Russia,
several chapters uncover how far Britain in this period was 'different'.
Stimulating to experts and students alike, Population, Welfareand
Economic Change offers overviews and summaries of the latest scholarship
by leading economic historians and historical demographers, alongside
detailed case studies which showcase the original research of younger
scholars.
Chris Briggs is Lecturer in Medieval British Economic and Social History
at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Selwyn College. P.M.
Kitson is a former Research Associate at the Cambridge Group for the
Historyof Population and Social Structure and Bye-Fellow of Downing
College, Cambridge. S.J. Thompson is a former J.H. Plumb Fellow and
Director of Studies in History at Christ's College, Cambridge.
CONTRIBUTORS: Lorraine Barry, Jeremy Boulton, Chris Briggs, Bruce M.S.
Campbell, Tracy Dennison, Nigel Goose, R.W. Hoyle, Peter Kitson, Julie
Marfany, Rebecca Oakes, Sheilagh Ogilvie, Stephen Thompson, Samantha
Williams, Sir Tony Wrigley, Margaret Yates
