Title
Accounting for Oneself: Worth, Status, and the Social Order in Early Modern England,New
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Accounting for Oneself is a major new study of the social order in early modern England, as viewed and articulated from the bottom up. Engaging with how people from across the social spectrum placed themselves within the social order, it pieces together the language of selfdescription deployed by over 13,500 witnesses in English courts when answering questions designed to assess their creditworthiness. Spanning the period between 1550 and 1728, and with a broad geographical coverage, this study explores how men and women accounted for their 'worth' and described what they did for a living at differing points in the lifecycle. A corrective to topdown, malecentric accounts of the social order penned by elite observers, the perspective from below testifies to an intricate hierarchy based on sophisticated forms of social reckoning that were articulated throughout the social scale. A culture of appraisal was central to the competitive processes whereby people judged their own and others' social positions. For the majority it was not land that was the yardstick of status but moveable propertythe goods and chattels in people's possession ranging from livestock to linens, tools to trading goods, tables to tubs, clothes to cushions. Such items were repositories of wealth and the security for the credit on which the bulk of early modern exchange depended.Accounting for Oneself also sheds new light on women's relationship to property, on gendered divisions of labour, and on early modern understandings of work which were linked as much to having as to getting a living. The view from below was not unchanging, but bears witness to the profound impact of widening social inequality that opened up a chasm between the middle ranks and the labouring poor between the midsixteenth and midseventeenth centuries. As a result, not only was the social hierarchy distorted beyond recognition, from the laterseventeenth century there was also a gradual yet fundamental reworking of the criteria informing the calculus of esteem.
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- Q: What is the size of the book? A: The book measures nine point zero inches in height, nine point zero nine inches in length, and zero point nine one inches in width.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains three hundred eighty-four pages that explore the social order in early modern England.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: This book is published in paperback binding, making it flexible and lightweight.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Accounting for Oneself'? A: The author of 'Accounting for Oneself' is Alexandra Shepard, a scholar in early modern studies.
- Q: What genre does this book belong to? A: The book belongs to the genre of historical sociology, focusing on social hierarchies in early modern England.
- Q: How can I best utilize this book for research? A: You can use this book to understand the social dynamics and self-perception of individuals in early modern England for academic research.
- Q: Is this book suitable for beginners in history? A: Yes, the book provides insights that are accessible for beginners interested in social history and gender studies.
- Q: What topics does the book cover? A: The book covers topics such as worth, status, social order, and gendered divisions of labor in early modern England.
- Q: Can this book be used in a classroom setting? A: Yes, this book is suitable for classroom discussions on social structures and gender roles in historical contexts.
- Q: How should I store this book? A: Store the book in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight to preserve its quality.
- Q: Is there any special care needed for this paperback book? A: Handle the paperback with care to avoid bending or tearing its pages, and keep it on a stable shelf.
- Q: What if the book arrives damaged? A: If the book arrives damaged, you should contact the seller for a return or exchange as per their policy.
- Q: Does this book have a warranty? A: No, typically books do not come with a warranty, but check with the retailer for their return policy.
- Q: How can I return this book if I don't like it? A: You can return the book by following the seller's return instructions, usually within a specified time frame.
- Q: Is there a digital version available for this book? A: Check with the publisher or online retailers to see if a digital edition of the book is available for purchase.
- Q: Where can I buy 'Accounting for Oneself'? A: You can purchase 'Accounting for Oneself' from various online retailers, including bookstores and the publisher's website.