Men at Work: Labourers and Building Craftsmen in the Towns of Northern England, 14501750 [Hardcover]

A study of the impact of the building trade on the northern economy before the industrial revolution.This study redresses the North and South imbalance of much work in economic and social history by focusing on the impact of the building trade. The period 1450-1750 witnessed substantial changes in England: to the size of national population, the range of industry; in agricultural techniques, and the proportion of population tied to the soil. Using sources from local archives, the author addresses conditions of work in the building trades, levels of remuneration, gender differences in work, and relationships with employers.This study redresses the North and South imbalance of much work in economic and social history by focusing on the impact of the building trade. The period 1450-1750 witnessed substantial changes in England: to the size of national population, the range of industry; in agricultural techniques, and the proportion of population tied to the soil. Using sources from local archives, the author addresses conditions of work in the building trades, levels of remuneration, gender differences in work, and relationships with employers.This study redresses the North and South imbalance of much of the work in British economic and social history by focusing on the impact of the building trade. The period 1450-1750 witnessed substantial changes in England, including the size of national population, the range of industry, agricultural techniques, and the proportion of population tied to the soil. Using sources from local archives, the author addresses conditions of work in the building trades, levels of remuneration, gender differences in work, and relationships with employers.1. Introduction; 2. Building craftsmen at work; 3. The life-cycle of building craftsmen; 4. Labourers; 5. Conditions of work for labourers and building craftsmen; 6. Wage rates in the northern towns; 7. Towards an understanding of living standards; Appendices; Bibliography; Index. Wool“&