Economics and the Cult of Death in Late Medieval England

The Guild of St. George in Nottingham, 1459-1546

Bibliographic Data

ID21411517
AuthorsRichard Goddard (0000-0003-0174-7918, University of Nottingham, corresponding author), George Smalley (Independent Researcher, St. Bede’s RC High School, Blackburn, UK)
Year2024
Volume49
Issue1
Pages53-75
Publication date2024-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMidland History (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0047-729X • E-ISSN: 1756-381X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0047729x.2023.2299035
OpenAlexW4390752246
LanguageEN
References cited7

This paper examines the decline of the fraternity of St. George in Nottingham between 1459 and 1546. It uses the guild’s accounts in conjunction with Nottingham’s rich surviving documentary materials to investigate the financial management of the fraternity by its officers. It argues that the officers were adept at negotiating shifting economic conditions by switching between various revenue streams. However, this adroit management did not stem the tide of membership decline. It discusses the role of religious reform in the guild’s ultimate demise. It investigates why the decline in membership started long before any moves towards state-sponsored religious reform in the 1540s. It examines the impact of key individuals upon the guild’s history. It argues that, for a more nuanced view of the decline of fraternal organizations in this period, a recognition of individuals’ impact upon institutions needs to be incorporated into our understanding of institutions’ influences upon the economy

Demise · Economic history · Economics · Fraternity · George (robot) · Guild · Political science · Revenue · Sociology · Finance · Historical Economic and Social Studies · History · Law