Synopses & Reviews
The first account of the trade and commercial life of the medieval Spanish kingdom of Majorca.
Review
"...a much-needed discussion of the commercial and political history of the Balearic Islands in the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries....[Abulafia] does an impressive job of untangling the complex political situation..." Bryn Mawr Medieval Review"David Abulafia uses his mastery of Mediterranean economic and political history to sketch an engaging potrait of the Balearic islands in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries." American Historical Review"In a series of books and articles David Abulafia has established himself as a leading scholar of the Mediterranean world during the high and late Medieval period. Abulafia's latest book lives up to his reputation..." Reviews of Books"With the help of this most cautious and reliable British historian we now have a much better understanding of the importance of navigation and of maritime exchange on the eve of the Black Death." Speculum"...splendid and fascinating study....Not only does this book represent the definitive study of an important medieval economic center, it also affords an opportunity to reflect on the varied and adaptable structure of medieval commerce." Paul Freedman, Business History Review"With the help of this most cautious and reliable British historian we now have a much better understanding of the importance of navigation and of maritime exchange on the eve of the Black Death." Speculum"A Mediterranean Emporium constitutes an insightful and innovative resource that allows us to better understand not only the history of the Majorcan kingdom, but also, on a larger scale, the making of the medieval Western Europe." Yeon-Soo Kim, Al-Masaq"...so readable and well updated a work of reference." International History Review
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 264-283) and index.
Table of Contents
Preface; Note on nomenclature; List of the kings of Majorca 1229 1343; Note on the coinage of the kingdom of Majorca; Part I. Unity and Diversity: 1. The Balearic setting; 2. The kingdom and its historians; 3. The constitutional problem; 4. One kingdom, three religions: the Muslims; 5. One kingdom, three religions: the Jews; Part II. The Crossroads of the Mediterranean: 6. The rise of the trade of Mallorca City; 7. Commerce in the age of the vespers; 8. Towards economic integration: the early fourteenth century; 9. The trade of the autonomous kingdom in its last two decades; 10. From the Mediterranean to the Atlantic; 11. The reshaping of Mallorcaâs economy, 1343 1500; Conclusion; Appendix; Bibliography.