Working Women in English Society, 1300}}}1620 [Paperback]

This is an important study of English women's participation in the market economy from 1300 to 1620.This study explores the diverse and changing ways in which English women participated in the market economy from 1300 to 1620. Using substantial new evidence it challenges both traditional views of this 'golden age' for women's work and more recent critiques. The author argues that women's engagement in the market economy fluctuated widely under the pressures of demographic, economic, social and cultural change. Although women enjoyed unprecedented opportunities following the plagues of 1348 9, these opportunities had largely been eroded once again by the late sixteenth century.This study explores the diverse and changing ways in which English women participated in the market economy from 1300 to 1620. Using substantial new evidence it challenges both traditional views of this 'golden age' for women's work and more recent critiques. The author argues that women's engagement in the market economy fluctuated widely under the pressures of demographic, economic, social and cultural change. Although women enjoyed unprecedented opportunities following the plagues of 1348 9, these opportunities had largely been eroded once again by the late sixteenth century.Using substantial new evidence to explore the diverse ways that English women participated in the market economy from 1300 to 1620, Marjorie McIntosh challenges traditional views of this golden age as well as more recent critiques. She argues that women's engagement in the market economy fluctuated widely under the pressures of demographic, economic, social and cultural change. Thus, although they enjoyed unprecedented opportunities following the plagues of 1348-49, these opportunities had largely eroded by the late sixteenth century.Part I. Women and Their Work: 1. Women's work in its social setting; 2. Studying working women; Part II. Providing Services: 3. Domestic and personal services; 4. Financial services and rel*