Book Series Studies in European Urban History (1100-1800), vol. 27

Urban Elites and Aristocratic Behaviour in the Spanish Kingdoms at the End of the Middle Ages

Maria Asenjo-González (ed)

  • Pages: 172 p.
  • Size:178 x 254 mm
  • Illustrations:4 b/w
  • Language(s):English
  • Publication Year:2013

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  • ISBN: 978-2-503-54644-5
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  • ISBN: 978-2-503-54645-2
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This collection of studies presents the results of research to discover the scope of aristocratic ambitions of the urban elites in the Hispanic kingdoms in the Late Middle Ages.

Review(s)

"Da mehrere Autoren ihre Artikel sehr klar strukturieren, ist das Buch auch bestens als "Einstieg und Überblick zu wichtigen Fragen der spanischen Stadtgeschichte und zu Entwicklungstendenzen der neueren Historiographie und ihren aktuellen Fragestellungen geeignet. Darüber hinaus setzt es die in den letzten Jahren publizierten Studien in sehr erfreulicher Weise fort." (Gisela Naegle, in: Francia-Recensio, 2013/2)

Summary

This collection of studies presents the results of research to discover the scope of aristocratic ambitions of the urban elites in the Hispanic kingdoms in the Late Middle Ages. The goal is to gain a greater knowledge of the urban elites in order to discover the social and political motivations of the privileged, those who were able to profit from the mechanisms of social ascension. Aristocratisation is also related to the adoption of values which determined the behavior and mentality under the mark of the dominant feudal culture. The strategies, the resources to move up the social ladder and the ambition of the urban social elite and the occasions used to ensure successful promotion and the results obtained should be brought to light. The variety in the urban elites within the Iberian Peninsula offers comparative possibilities and supposes an important advancement in the knowledge of aspects related to social promotion.

María Asenjo-González is professor of Medieval History at the Complutense University of Madrid. Her research interest covers Castilian cities from 1250 to 1520 in social, political, economic and cultural aspects.