Liberty and Locality in Revolutionary France

This "comparative micro-historical" study for the transitional period between the old and the new France, (1760-1820) analyzes six small localities. It explains how country dwellers disengaged themselves from the congeries of local societies that made up the ancien régime, and attached themselves to the wider polity of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic state. The result is a strikingly new perspective on the rural history of France during an epoch of momentous change.

"Jones offers an exemplary comparative icro history examining six villages.... insightful work. Recommended." Choice

"Jones' expert knowledge of rural France and his archival mastery have produced an important book for scholars of the French Revolution." Anthony Crubaugh, Illinois State University, American Historical Review"Jones offers an exemplary comparative microhistory examining six villages.... insightful work. Recommended." Choice"A well researched book that offers specialists in French history a good look at how varying groups of peasants responded to the events and structural changes of the Revolution." H-France"...the book's great strenth is that it makes available in Engilsh the kind of historical detail that we normally associate with local studies in French. Such detail provides an exceptionally clear picture of the evolution of village institutions during the Revolution...Jones moves beyond institutional history to offer detailed descriptions of local civic rituals, adding a rich cultural tone to his microhistories." - Journal of Modern History, Michael Kwass, University of Georgia

A comparative ?micro-history? for the period between the old and the new France, 1760?1820.

This is a ‘comparative micro-historical’study attempted for the period between the old and the new France, 1760 — 1820, which offers a strikingly new perspective on the rural history of France during an epoch of momentous change.

Peter Jones is Professor of French History, University of Birmingham.

List of illustrations; List of tables; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Mise-en-scène; 2. The structures of village life towards the end of the ancien régime; 3. Agendas for change: 1787 — 1790; 4. A new civic landscape; 5. Sovereignty in the village; 6. Church and state in miniature; 7. Land of liberty?; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.