English and French Towns in Feudal Society

In this comparative study of the role of English and French towns in feudal society in the middle ages Professor Hilton provides a new perspective on medieval society and argues that medieval towns were not, as is often thought, harbingers of capitalism. He emphasises how urban societies fitted into, rather than challenged, feudalism.This is a comparative study of the role of English and French towns in feudal society in the middle ages. In bringing together much material which dissolves old categories and simplifications in the study of medieval towns, Professor Hilton provides an important new perspective on medieval society and on the nature of feudalism. He argues that medieval towns were not, as is often thought, the harbingers of capitalism, and emphasises the way in which urban social structures fitted into, rather than challenged, feudalism.