The World of the Medieval Shipmaster
Law, Business and the Sea, c.1350-c.1450
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Boydell & Brewer Ltd
Published:16th Apr '09
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This book provides an in-depth look at the life of an English medieval shipmaster, highlighting the complexities of maritime trade and management.
In The World of the Medieval Shipmaster, readers are taken on a journey through the intricate life and duties of an English shipmaster during the medieval era. This period, marked by various challenges such as war, piracy, and political upheaval, witnessed a remarkable resilience in the English merchant shipping industry. Despite the backdrop of adversity, the mid-fourteenth to mid-fifteenth centuries saw the development of new markets, longer voyages, and an increase in the size and value of ships and cargoes. The interest in ship ownership grew, transforming it into a viable investment for many in the community.
The book utilizes a diverse array of sources, including court and parliamentary records, contemporary literature, and maritime law codifications, to shed light on the evolving management and commercial practices of the time. It explores the intricate relationships among shipowners, shipmasters, crews, and shipping merchants, offering insights into the dynamics that governed their interactions. Readers will gain an understanding of how these relationships were managed amid the challenges faced by the industry.
Furthermore, The World of the Medieval Shipmaster vividly portrays aspects of ship performance, navigation, and seamanship, delving into the often harsh conditions experienced on board. Through this exploration, the book not only highlights the responsibilities of shipmasters but also paints a broader picture of maritime life during a pivotal period in English history.
An extremely welcome review. [...] Well written and referenced, it is a noteworthy contribution. * SPECULUM *
An invaluable book which will be required reading for all those interested in medieval maritime history and the development of business practice in the medieval world. * JOURNAL FOR MARITIME RESEARCH *
[B]eschreibt lebensnah die rechtlichen, wirtschaftlichen, organisatorischen und nautischen Anforderungen, die der Kapitaen in der blühenden englischen Handelsschiffahrt zu erfüllen hatte. * DEUTSCHES ARCHIV FÜR DIE ERFORSCHUNG DES MITTELALTERS *
Will be required reading for all those interested in medieval ships and also the development of business practice in the medieval world. * NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY *
[A] masterly study. * THE RICARDIAN *
Ward's expertly researched book provides a full reconstruction of the life of a medieval shipmaster. [...] Very few maritime historians have accepted the challenge of approaching medieval seafaring from a social historian's perspective. Robin Ward has, and has done it admirably. And for that reason, The World of the Medieval Shipmaster should become a classic in its field. * NAUTICAL RESEARCH JOURNAL *
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 *
ISBN: 9781843834557
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 552g
270 pages