The Medieval Crown Of Aragon: A Short History

The Medieval Crown of Aragon: A Short History

Review "Provides a fine introduction in English to general readers, whether students, general readers of history, or professionals who are not specialists in the Iberian Peninsula. It is well worth reading."--Speculum"Will be welcomed by all interested in the history of medieval Spain...The book is successful both as an introductory survey and as an essay of synthesis. It is a worthy addition to the increasing number of outstanding works on medieval Spanish history being produced by American authors."--American Historical Review"[An] excellent little book."--History: Reviews of New Books"A brief, well documented history of a very complex subject...He has indeed given us a lucid account of political developments that will be of great use to students of medieval Spain. But he has also succeeded in the hard task of covering in outline social, economic and cultural history...The whole book reveals to anyone acquainted with the period the author's mastery both of published documents...and of the Catalan chronicles."--Manuscripta"Perceptive and scholarly...[A] most welcome addition to the rather scanty historical literature in English on medieval Spain."--Journal of Medieval History"A masterly synthesis of recent research which deserves a warm welcome."--English Historical Review The first study of its kind in English in more than fifty years, this book surveys the history of the medieval Crown of Aragon from its early origins in counties of the eastern Pyrenees. Reviewing the most recent research into the well-preserved archives of the region, Bisson recreates a sense of the energy, drama, and color of these creative and expansionist people between the 12th and 15th centuries. Throughout, the book duly stresses individual achievement and personality while at the same time providing a balanced overview of political and dynastic evolution, institutional foundations, economic and cultural affairs, and the socio-economic weaknesses that eventually led to a crisis in the federated realms in the late Middle Ages. About the Author Thomas N. Bisson is Henry Charles Lea Professor of Medieval History at Harvard University.