Description
Book SynopsisThis book is the first in English in more than half a century to survey this history of a great Mediterranean federation whose homelands were Catalonia and Aragon. Based on recent research, it seeks to convey a sense of the energy, drama, and colour of a creative and expansionist people between the twelfth and the fifteenth centuries. T. N. Bisson lays due stress on individual achievement and personality, while at the same time providing a balanced survey of political and dynastic evolution, institutional foundations, economic and cultural matters, and the socio-economic weaknesses which led eventually to a crisis in the federated realms of the late Middle Ages.
Trade Review`Professor Bisson has multiplied his claims upon our gratitude by presenting us with The Medieval Crown of Aragon ... a masterly synthesis of recent research which deserves a warm welcome.' English Historical Review
`An excellent, succinct and readable history of the Medieval Crown of Aragon which takes on board all recent research, particularly of Catalan scholars.' British Bulletin of Publications on Latin America, The Caribbean, Portugal and Spain
`will be welcome by all interested in the history of medieval Spain ... successful both as an introductory survey ans as an essay of synthesis' American Historical Review
`perceptive and scholarly ... a most welcome addition to the rather scanty historical literature in English on medieval Spain' Journal of Medieval History
`We need an introductory history of the Crown of Aragon and Professor Bisson is a good choice to write it for us.' History
`excellent and useful survey ... work which, with a long and intelligently descriptive bibliography at the end, will serve as an introduction to its complex and difficult subject for many years to come.' David J. Wasserstein, Mediterranean Historical Review
Table of ContentsList of illustrations; List of maps; Prologue; Before the union; The age of the early count-kings (1137-1213); James the Conqueror (1213-1276); Mediterranean expansion (1276-1336); Peter the Ceremonious and his sons (1336-1410); The Trastámaras (1412-1479); Prosperity and crisis in the later middle ages; Epilogue; Note on the translation of proper names; Glossary; Geneological tables; Bibliographical notes; Index
