Medieval Market Morality

An examination of the morality, ethics and laws that underpinned all dealings in the marketplaces of medieval England.

This examination of the moral economy of medieval markets provides a wide-ranging critique of the ethical and legal foundations of retail trade. It shows how market-goers were influenced not only by practical economic considerations of price, quality, supply and demand, but also by moral values and everyday notions of justice.This important study examines the market trade of medieval England by providing a wide-ranging critique of the moral and legal imperatives that underpinned retail trade. James Davis shows how market-goers were influenced not only by practical and economic considerations of price, quality, supply and demand, but also by the moral and cultural environment within which such deals were conducted. This book draws on a broad range of cross-disciplinary evidence, from the literary works of William Langland and the sermons of medieval preachers, to state, civic and guild laws, Davis scrutinises everyday market behaviour through case studies of small and large towns, using the evidence of manor and borough courts. From these varied sources, Davis teases out the complex relationship between morality, law and practice and demonstrates that even the influence of contemporary Christian ideology was not necessarily incompatible with efficient and profitable everyday commerce.