Urban Rents and the Property Market

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Property, this chapter shows, served a wider purpose than just a place of residence or business. Property was also an asset, providing opportunities for capital gains at the point of sale or transfer, and rental income. Property speculation and ‘buy to let’ were features of the medieval period just as they are today. In a period when banking facilities were limited, money made in other entrepreneurial endeavours could be safely invested in property and then relatively easily released when next required for project finance. This chapter outlines the surviving sources that reveal the operation of medieval rural and urban property markets in England. It takes a chronological approach, beginning with Anglo-Saxon charters (c. 410–1066) and then covering feet of fines (1195 onwards), deeds and charters (c. 1200 onwards), the Hundred Rolls (1279) and urban rentals (c. 1300 onwards). The nature of each source, together with illustrative examples, is outlined. This is followed by a discussion of how they have been used by historians to examine research questions relating to political and economic history.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMedieval Statistics
Subtitle of host publicationAccounting, Record-Keeping and Financial Management, 1066-1525
EditorsMark Casson, John S. Lee
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
Pages303-343
Number of pages41
ISBN (Electronic)9783031697302
ISBN (Print)9783031697326
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Dec 2024

Publication series

NamePalgrave Studies in the History of Finance
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
ISSN (Print)2662-5164
ISSN (Electronic)2662-5172

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