商品簡介
In the high Middle Ages a particular form of patron/client relationship developed between lay lords and peasants in the kingdom of Castille, called the behetria. This differed in many ways from other feudal arrangements throughout Europe. The peasants were not bound to the lord and could elect to change protectors. Also, the lords tended to be of the lower or middle nobility and were never bishops, abbeys or other ecclesiastical institutions. Pedro-Alfonso, a medieval historian currently working on a project to digitize manuscripts, and Diez a medieval historian at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas provide background on the creation of the behetria and its subsequent alterations according to circumstances. Contributors focus on the relationship of the crown to the lords and the peasants. Two families among the lords are examined to demonstrate the variety of the behetria relationships. The actions and attitudes of the peasants are harder to find, but records are also read closely for clues. This work is a valuable addition to the study of the many forms of medieval lordship. Distributed in North America by The David Brown Book Co. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
