Ale, Beer and Brewsters in England - Women''s Work in a Changing World, 1300-1600

Women brewed and sold most of the ale drunk in medieval England, but after 1350, men slowly took over the trade. By 1600, most brewers in London -- as well as in many towns and villages -- were male, not female. This award-winning book investigates this transition, asking how, when, and why brewing ceased to be a women's trade and became a trade of men.

About the author

Judith M. Bennett is Professor Emerita of History and John R. Hubbard Chair in British History Emerita at University of Southern California. She has published extensively on the history of women, particularly women in the middle ages. Her books include Women in the Medieval English Countryside (Oxford, 1987) and Sisters and Workers in the Middle Ages (co-editor, 1989).

Summary

Drawing on a variety of sources, such as literary and artistic materials, court records, accounts, and administrative orders, this book describes how brewsters (that is, female brewers) slowly left the trade. It tells a story of commercial growth, guild formation and changing technologies.

Additional text

an original contribution to this history of drinking and brewing in England ... Bennett's original contribution to the field is the study that she has made of the surviving records for breaches of the assize of ale. Bennett's volume will be of considerable interest to scholars and students working in a number of different areas.

Product details

• Authors: Judith M. Bennett, Judith M. (Professor of History Bennett, Bennett Judith M.
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 24.06.1999
• EAN: 9780195126501
• ISBN: 978-0-19-512650-1
• No. of pages: 280
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > Sociological theories; England, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Women's Studies, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, HISTORY / Women, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Industries / Manufacturing, Labour / income economics, Labour Economics, c 1000 CE to c 1500, Social and cultural history, Gender studies: women, Sociology: work & labour, Beers and ciders, COOKING / Beverages / Alcoholic / Beer, Gender studies: women and girls, Manufacturing industries, 16th century, c 1500 to c 1599, c 1500 to c 1600, Beers, Sociology: work and labour, Food Manufacturing & Related Industries, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Labor / General