London women and the economy before and after the Black Death

Lead Research Organisation: University of London
Department Name: Inst of Historical Research

Abstract

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Publications

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Stevens M (2013) London Women, the Courts and the 'Golden Age': A Quantitative Analysis of Female Litigants in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries in The London Journal

 
Description Contrary to the 'Golden Age' hypothesis, in which it has been posited that women benefited economically and socially from post Black Death (1348-9) labour shortages, this study has shown that while women may have enjoyed a modestly enhanced economic position, circa 1350-1450, this did not halt a long-term late-medieval trend towards the diminution of women's social status and freedoms.



London women were 20-30 per cent less likely to litigate in City or Westminster courts circa 1420-60 than they had been circa 1320. However, when London women did litigate in the early to mid-fifteenth century they were roughly 10 per cent more likely to do so in economically orientated suits such as debt or detinue. Together, these contrary trends suggest a disassociation of economic power and social status for later medieval London women.



A survey of non-London court records reinforces the conclusion that women were 20-30 per cent less likely to be court litigants in the post-plague era than they had been in the pre-plague era.
Exploitation Route The data and outputs will be of use to local historians, especially historians of London. The project's findings will help to stimulate future comparative research on women and the economy in the pre- and post-Black Death eras.
Sectors Communities and Social Services/Policy,Energy,Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Retail,Security and Diplomacy,Transport
URL http://www.history.ac.uk/projects/research/london-women
 
Title London sheriffs' court records, 1320 : detailed case index 
Description Index to 500 London civil disputes 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2010 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Availability of rare source material for the first time. 
URL http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=1283