Description
Book SynopsisThis book examines the conflicting images of peasants from the post-Carolingian period to the German Peasants' War—how they were represented as subhuman yet as close to God; as contemptible yet as exemplary Christians—and how such views formed the basis for social movements.
Trade Review"Freedman's command of material drawn from all over Europe is impressive and anyone interested in the medieval or early modern German peasantry will profit greatly from reading this book." --
Central European HistoryTable of ContentsIntroduction: marginality and centrality of peasants; Part I. Peasant Labor and a Hierarchical Society: 1. Peasant labor and the limits of mutuality; 2. The breakdown of mutuality: laments over the mistreatment of peasants; Part II. The Origins of Inequality: 3. Equality and freedom at creation; 4. The curse of Noah; 5. National myths and the origins of serfdom; Part III. Unfavorable Images of Peasants: 6. Representations of contempt and subjugation; 7. Peasant bodies, male and female; Part IV. Peasant Agency, Peasant Humanity: 8. Peasant warriors and peasant liberties; 9. Pious and exemplary peasants; Part V. The Revolt Against Servitude: 10. The problem of servitude: arbitrary mistreatment, symbolic degradation; 11. Peasant rebellions of the late middle ages; Conclusion: harmony and dissonance.
