Lincoln c.850-1100 : a study in economic and urban growth
The dissertation investigates the increasing number and complexity of towns between c. 850 and c. 1100, through the detailed study of Lincoln in this period. Utilising archaeological and documentary evidence to trace the multifaceted nature of early medieval towns, it confirms that economic change was the principal cause of urban growth. Pottery and coin evidence shed some light upon the progress and nature of economic development. The role of a significant elite centre or an elite-founded wic are both disputed in considering the origins of urban Lincoln. The questioning of the importance of these reinforces the view that the Vikings had a considerable impact on the development of Lincoln. The nature of their role was to create a small concentration of population, which then served as a focus for the economic growth already underway in the rural economy; which the Great Army must have initially disrupted. The key role of Viking rulers or West Saxon kings in the later economic and urban development at Lincoln is disputed. Instead the thesis considers that subsequent topographical and economic change is mostly attributable to urban elites in Lincoln rather than to distant political figures. Many of these developments
Cliff, David
D111 Medieval History ; DA Great Britain
Lincoln c.850-1100 : a study in economic and urban growth. The dissertation investigates the increasing number and complexity of towns between c. 850 and c. 1100, through the detailed study of Lincoln in this period. Utilising archaeological and documentary evidence to trace the multifaceted nature of early medieval towns, it confirms that economic change was the principal cause of urban growth. Pottery and coin evidence shed some light upon the progress and nature of economic development. The role of a significant elite centre or an elite-founded wic are both disputed in considering the origins of urban Lincoln. The questioning of the importance of these reinforces the view that the Vikings had a considerable impact on the development of Lincoln. The nature of their role was to create a small concentration of population, which then served as a focus for the economic growth already underway in the rural economy; which the Great Army must have initially disrupted. The key role of Viking rulers or West Saxon kings in the later economic and urban development at Lincoln is disputed. Instead the thesis considers that subsequent topographical and economic change is mostly attributable to urban elites in Lincoln rather than to distant political figures. Many of these developments
lincoln study economic urban_growth investigates increase_number complexity town detail_study lincoln period utilising archaeological_documentary evidence trace multifaceted nature early_medieval town confirms economic_change principal cause urban_growth pottery coin evidence shed_light upon progress nature economic_development role significant elite centre elite founded dispute consider origin urban lincoln question importance reinforces view vikings considerable_impact development lincoln nature role create small concentration population serve focus economic_growth already underway rural_economy great army must initially disrupt key_role viking ruler west_saxon king later economic urban_development lincoln dispute instead considers subsequent topographical economic_change mostly attributable urban elite lincoln rather distant political figure many development