Many economic developments in Europe date back to the Middle Ages& for example, the emergence of the banking and insurance systems, and cashless payments. Issues of economic history, however, are usually given little space in introductions to medieval history. This third volume of a series of introductions to economic history, spanning several time periods, closes this gap. Sebastian Steinbach not only provides a concise overview of the economics of the Middle Ages in Europe, but also discusses research issues such as the commercial revolution, publishing, and the agricultural depression of the late Middle Ages. Lively and informative, it refutes the idea that the Middle Ages represented a period of economic stagnation. With interpretations of many different sources, Steinbach also indicates the way in which insights into economic history are obtained.

Dr. Sebastian Steinbach teaches Medieval History at the University of Osnabrück, with a research focus on economic and monetary history and auxiliary historical studies.