The Transformation of Visitation in Thirteenth-Century England
Ian Forrest
Three things about which most historians of thirteenth-century England would agree are that it was an increasingly governed society, Christianized and a society undergoing massive social change owing to demographic economic growth.1 Despite some fertile persuasive connections made by Richard Britnell between commercialization, institutional growth literacy, the relationships such familiar interpretative frameworks have not been much reflected upon, this has meant all sorts questions might prove fruitful for understanding processes cultural opened up research.2 What, example, did differentiation — subject examined almost wholly from perspective owe changes in institutions governance, or local religious culture? This article seeks open one area offering new interpretation regulation, elite formation intensification governance through study ecclesiastical visitation parishes, key later medieval society.
Past & Present