Nineteenth-century craftsmen and tradesmen in Hertfordshire : a spatial, economic and social study of self-sufficiency
This is an exploration of the validity of the generally accepted belief that rural self-sufficiency declined in Victorian England. Three phases of rural self-sufficiency are identified which follow a chronological sequence. The first is household independence, many basic goods and services are produced within the household: there are a small number of specialised craftsmen and tradesmen within the village, but few, if any, shops. This is followed by decline in household independence, but maintenance of village self-sufficiency with the presence of at least basic specialised crafts and trades and some shops. The final stage is erosion of village self-sufficiency: loss of essential services, leading to hierarchical dependence on services provided by towns. The main data sources used are the unpublished census enumerators' books and the trade directories. Their validity as primary sources is assessed in the context of their suitability for macro- and micro-level studies of rural crafts and trades. Rural service provision over time is explored, initially, at the county level, then focusing on two agricultural areas containing 31 parishes. The status of craftsmen and tradesmen within their local communities is
Crompton, Catherine Alicia
History
Nineteenth-century craftsmen and tradesmen in Hertfordshire : a spatial, economic and social study of self-sufficiency. This is an exploration of the validity of the generally accepted belief that rural self-sufficiency declined in Victorian England. Three phases of rural self-sufficiency are identified which follow a chronological sequence. The first is household independence, many basic goods and services are produced within the household: there are a small number of specialised craftsmen and tradesmen within the village, but few, if any, shops. This is followed by decline in household independence, but maintenance of village self-sufficiency with the presence of at least basic specialised crafts and trades and some shops. The final stage is erosion of village self-sufficiency: loss of essential services, leading to hierarchical dependence on services provided by towns. The main data sources used are the unpublished census enumerators' books and the trade directories. Their validity as primary sources is assessed in the context of their suitability for macro- and micro-level studies of rural crafts and trades. Rural service provision over time is explored, initially, at the county level, then focusing on two agricultural areas containing 31 parishes. The status of craftsmen and tradesmen within their local communities is
nineteenth_century craftsman tradesman hertfordshire spatial economic_social study self_sufficiency exploration validity generally_accept belief rural self_sufficiency decline victorian_england three_phase rural self_sufficiency identify follow chronological_sequence first household independence many basic good service produce within_household small_number specialise craftsman tradesman within village shop follow decline household independence maintenance village self_sufficiency presence least basic specialised craft trade shop final_stage erosion village self_sufficiency loss essential service lead hierarchical dependence service provide town main data_source use unpublished census enumerator book_trade directory validity primary_source assess context suitability macro micro_level study rural craft trade rural service provision time explore initially county level focus_two agricultural area contain parish status craftsman tradesman within local_community