The World of the Medieval Shipmaster
Law, Business and the Sea, c.1350-c.1450
Robin Ward
Despite a background of war, piracy, depopulation, bullion shortages, adverse political decisions, legal uncertainties and deteriorating weather conditions, between the mid-fourteenth and the mid-fifteenth centuries the English merchant shipping industry thrived. New markets were developed, voyages became longer, ships and cargoes increased in size and value, and an interest in ship ownership as an investment spread throughout the community.
Using a rich range of examples drawn from court and parliamentary records, contemporary literature and the codifications of maritime law, this book illuminates the evolving management and commercial practices which developed to regulate the relationships between shipowners, shipmasters, crews and shipping merchants. It also brings to life ship performance, navigation, seamanship, and the frequently harsh conditions on board.
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DETAILS
7 b/w illustrations Pages: 270 Size: 23.4 x 15.6 13 digit ISBN: 9781843834557
Binding: Hardback First published: 16/Apr/2009 Price: 95.00 USD / 50.00 GBP
Imprint: Boydell Press Subject: Medieval History
BIC class: TRLT
STATUS: Available
Details updated on 09/02/2010
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Reviews
This entertaining product of detailed scholarship will fascinate readers of early history as it brings to life ship performance, navigation and seamanship. Maritime historians will appreciate Ward's meticulous research, comprehensive appendices, transcriptions, translations and dissections of medieval legal texts. NORTHERN MARINER
A handsome and resourceful study. [...] It delivers a series of rewarding insights that will provide new starting points for future studies. [...] Students coming into the field of medieval maritime history and Chaucerians wishing to refine their readings of the Shipman will benefit tremendously from this book. For all other medievalists [it] will become the best guide to an arcane discipline.
THE MEDIEVAL REVIEW
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