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Late medieval astrological predictive texts (iudicia, calendars, almanacs etc.) are an interesting source of knowledge about the past. The practice of publishing such texts was a result of the development of the so-called Krakow school of astronomy and astrology. The Krakow masters, who held the position of professors at the chair of astronomy and astrology, were obliged to prepare the said predictive texts annually. The publications included astrological predictions based on forthcoming positions of heavenly bodies and concerned almost every sphere of life of the contemporary society. They referred to trade and agriculture, including prognoses of abundant or failed harvests. They covered political issues, but also problems pertaining to marriage, as well as to children and their upbringing. Vast passages were devoted to weather forecasting, that is, astrometeorology. However, special emphasis was put on the medical topics, as health and disease were an issue of key importance for the representatives of all social strata. Astrological predictive texts, indicating the best (from the viewpoint of astrology) time for attempts to maintain or regain health, were meant to interpret theoretical knowledge with recommendations concerning the practice, which was difficult to verify with regard to sources. ; Późnośredniowieczne prognostyki astrologiczne (iudicia, kalendarze, almanachy, etc.) to ciekawe źródło do poznania przeszłości. Zwyczaj ich publikowania związany był z rozwojem tzw. krakowskiej szkoły astronomiczno-astrologicznej. Mistrzowie krakowscy piastujący funkcję profesorów katedry astronomii i astrologii zobligowani byli do układania rokrocznie prognostyków, w których zamieszczali bazujące na mającym nastąpić układzie ciał niebieskich prognozy astrologiczne dotyczące niemalże każdej płaszczyzny życia ówczesnego społeczeństwa – prognozy odnoszono do handlu, gospodarki rolnej, urodzaju lub nieurodzaju; obejmowano nimi zagadnienia natury politycznej, ale też kwestie małżeństwa, posiadanego potomstwa i jego wychowania; obszerne ustępy poświęcano prognozowaniu pogody, a więc astrometeorologii. Jednakże szczególny nacisk kładziono na zagadnienia medyczne, albowiem kwestia zdrowia i choroby stanowiła kluczowe zagadnienie, które było istotne dla przedstawicieli wszystkich, bez wyjątku, stanów społecznych. Prognostyki astrologiczne natomiast, wskazując odpowiednią, z punktu widzenia astrologii, porę na podejmowanie starań o utrzymanie dobrej kondycji lub powrót do zdrowia, miały stanowić wykładnię wiedzy teoretycznej z zaleceniami dotyczącymi trudnej do zweryfikowania źródłowo praktyki.

30 páginas, 9 figuras, 3 tablas.- El PDF del artículo es su versión post-print. ; A multi-proxy study of short sediment cores recovered in small, karstic Lake Estanya (42°02′ N, 0°32′ E, 670 m.a.s.l.) in the Pre-Pyrenean Ranges (NE Spain) provides a detailed record of the complex environmental, hydrological and anthropogenic interactions occurring in the area since medieval times. The integration of sedimentary facies, elemental and isotopic geochemistry, and biological proxies (diatoms, chironomids and pollen), together with a robust chronological control, provided by AMS radiocarbon dating and 210Pb and 137Cs radiometric techniques, enabled precise reconstruction of the main phases of environmental change, associated with the Medieval Warm Period (MWP), the Little Ice Age (LIA) and the industrial era. Shallow lake levels and saline conditions with poor development of littoral environments prevailed during medieval times (1150–1300 AD). Generally higher water levels and more dilute waters occurred during the LIA (1300–1850 AD), although this period shows a complex internal paleohydrological structure and is contemporaneous with a gradual increase of farming activity. Maximum lake levels and flooding of the current littoral shelf occurred during the nineteenth century, coinciding with the maximum expansion of agriculture in the area and prior to the last cold phase of the LIA. Finally, declining lake levels during the twentieth century, coinciding with a decrease in human pressure, are associated with warmer climate conditions. A strong link with solar irradiance is suggested by the coherence between periods of more positive water balance and phases of reduced solar activity. Changes in winter precipitation and dominance of NAO negative phases would be responsible for wet LIA conditions in western Mediterranean regions. The main environmental stages recorded in Lake Estanya are consistent with Western Mediterranean continental records, and show similarities with both Central and NE Iberian reconstructions, reflecting a strong climatic control of the hydrological and anthropogenic changes during the last 800 years. ; This research was funded through the projects LIMNOCAL (CGL2006-13327-C04-01), PALEODIVERSITAS (CGL2006-02956/BOS), GRACCIE (CSD2007- 00067) supported by the Spanish Inter-Ministry Commission of Science and Technology (CICYT); and PM073/2007 provided by the Diputación General de Aragón. The Aragonese Regional Government and CAJA INMACULADA provided two travel grants for the analyses carried out at Univ. of Cádiz and EEZ-CSIC (Spain), and MARUM Centre (Univ. of Bremen, Germany). M. Morellón was supported by a PhD contract with the CONAI + D (Aragonese Scientific Council for Research and Development). ; Peer reviewed

This is a concise survey of the economy of the Byzantine Empire from the fourth century AD to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Organised chronologically, the book addresses key themes such as demography, agriculture, manufacturing and the urban economy, trade, monetary developments, and the role of the state and ideology. It provides a comprehensive overview of the economy with an emphasis on the economic actions of the state and the productive role of the city and non-economic actors, such as landlords, artisans and money-changers. The final chapter compares the Byzantine economy with the economies of western Europe and concludes that the Byzantine economy was one of the most successful examples of a mixed economy in the pre-industrial world. This is the only concise general history of the Byzantine economy and will be essential reading for students of economic history, Byzantine history and medieval history more generally

La ricerca pone al centro dell'indagine lo studio dell'importanza del cibo nelle cerimonie nuziali dell'Europa occidentale nei secoli V-XI. Il corpus di fonti utilizzate comprende testi di genere diverso: cronache, annali, agiografie, testi legislativi, a cui si è aggiunta un'approfondita analisi delle antiche saghe islandesi. Dopo un'introduzione dedicata in particolare alla questione della pubblicità della celebrazione, la ricerca si muove verso lo studio del matrimonio come "processo" sulla base della ritualità alimentare: i brindisi e i banchetti con cui si sigla l'accordo di fidanzamento e i ripetuti convivi allestiti per celebrare le nozze. Si pone attenzione anche ad alcuni aspetti trasversali, come lo studio del caso della "letteratura del fidanzamento bevuto", ossia una tradizione di testi letterari in cui il fidanzamento tra i protagonisti viene sempre ratificato con un brindisi; a questo si aggiunge un'analisi di stampo antropologico della "cultura dell'eccesso", tipica dei rituali alimentari nuziali nel Medioevo, in contrasto con la contemporanea "cultura del risparmio". L'analisi si concentra anche sulle reiterate proibizioni al clero, da parte della Chiesa, di partecipare a banchetti e feste nuziali, tratto comune di tutta l'epoca altomedievale. Infine, la parte conclusiva della ricerca è incentrata sulla ricezione altomedievale di due figure bibliche che pongono al centro della narrazione un banchetto nuziale: la parabola delle nozze e il banchetto di Cana. L'insistente presenza di questi due brani nelle parole dei commentatori biblici mostra la straordinaria efficacia del "linguaggio alimentare", ossia di un codice linguistico basato sul cibo (e su contesti quali l'agricoltura, la pesca, ecc.) come strumento di comunicazione sociale di massa con una valenza antropologica essenzialmente universale. ; The research focuses on the study of the importance of food in wedding celebrations of Western Europe from the VIth to the XIth century. It was used a corpus of sources which features texts of different genres: chronicles, annals, hagiographies, legislative texts, to which it was added a deep analysis of the ancient icelandic sagas. After an introduction mainly centred on the publicity of the celebration, the research examines marriage as a "process" from the point of view of food rituality: the toasts and the banquets set up to ratify the betrothal and the repeated banquets for the celebration of the wedding. The research also analyzes some cross matters, such as the study of the case of the "drunk betrothal literature", a literary tradition where the betrothal between the two protagonists is always ratified through a toast; furthermore, a historical-anthropological analysis deals with the "culture of exceeding", typical of medieval food rituals of marriage, compared to the contemporary "culture of saving". Then the thesis examines the reiterate prohibitions that the Church imposed to clergy relating their attendance to wedding feasts and banquets, common trait of the whole Middle Ages. Finally, the conclusive part of the study is centred on the medieval reception of two biblical figures that set as background a wedding banquet: the parable of the wedding banquet and the wedding of Cana. The persistent presence of these two scenes in the words of Bible commentators proves the extraordinary efficacy of the "food language", a linguisitic code based on food (and on backgrounds such as agriculture, fishing, etc.) as an instrument for mass social communication with an essentially universal anthropological value.

International audience ; The rise of Islam in the Maghrib al-Aqṣā in the eighth and ninth centuries and the simultaneous onset of deep and lasting political, economic, cultural and social upheavals across the region have led historians to focus on Islamisation as the principal cause of this revolution. This article will explore the possible contribution of environmental factors to economic change, and consequently to social and political development. This discussion relates to the field of historical climatology which has been limited in Africa, and especially in the western Maghrib. It focuses on a case study of the caravan city of Sijilmāsa (Morocco) and argues that an important climate oscillation between the eighth and ninth centuries may have been a decisive factor in its foundation. Finally, it suggests that this climate fluctuation may have been a driving factor in the urbanisation that the Maghrib al-Aqṣā experienced more widely in this period.

International audience ; The rise of Islam in the Maghrib al-Aqṣā in the eighth and ninth centuries and the simultaneous onset of deep and lasting political, economic, cultural and social upheavals across the region have led historians to focus on Islamisation as the principal cause of this revolution. This article will explore the possible contribution of environmental factors to economic change, and consequently to social and political development. This discussion relates to the field of historical climatology which has been limited in Africa, and especially in the western Maghrib. It focuses on a case study of the caravan city of Sijilmāsa (Morocco) and argues that an important climate oscillation between the eighth and ninth centuries may have been a decisive factor in its foundation. Finally, it suggests that this climate fluctuation may have been a driving factor in the urbanisation that the Maghrib al-Aqṣā experienced more widely in this period.

International audience ; The rise of Islam in the Maghrib al-Aqṣā in the eighth and ninth centuries and the simultaneous onset of deep and lasting political, economic, cultural and social upheavals across the region have led historians to focus on Islamisation as the principal cause of this revolution. This article will explore the possible contribution of environmental factors to economic change, and consequently to social and political development. This discussion relates to the field of historical climatology which has been limited in Africa, and especially in the western Maghrib. It focuses on a case study of the caravan city of Sijilmāsa (Morocco) and argues that an important climate oscillation between the eighth and ninth centuries may have been a decisive factor in its foundation. Finally, it suggests that this climate fluctuation may have been a driving factor in the urbanisation that the Maghrib al-Aqṣā experienced more widely in this period.

International audience ; The rise of Islam in the Maghrib al-Aqṣā in the eighth and ninth centuries and the simultaneous onset of deep and lasting political, economic, cultural and social upheavals across the region have led historians to focus on Islamisation as the principal cause of this revolution. This article will explore the possible contribution of environmental factors to economic change, and consequently to social and political development. This discussion relates to the field of historical climatology which has been limited in Africa, and especially in the western Maghrib. It focuses on a case study of the caravan city of Sijilmāsa (Morocco) and argues that an important climate oscillation between the eighth and ninth centuries may have been a decisive factor in its foundation. Finally, it suggests that this climate fluctuation may have been a driving factor in the urbanisation that the Maghrib al-Aqṣā experienced more widely in this period.

International audience ; The rise of Islam in the Maghrib al-Aqṣā in the eighth and ninth centuries and the simultaneous onset of deep and lasting political, economic, cultural and social upheavals across the region have led historians to focus on Islamisation as the principal cause of this revolution. This article will explore the possible contribution of environmental factors to economic change, and consequently to social and political development. This discussion relates to the field of historical climatology which has been limited in Africa, and especially in the western Maghrib. It focuses on a case study of the caravan city of Sijilmāsa (Morocco) and argues that an important climate oscillation between the eighth and ninth centuries may have been a decisive factor in its foundation. Finally, it suggests that this climate fluctuation may have been a driving factor in the urbanisation that the Maghrib al-Aqṣā experienced more widely in this period.

El presente artículo pasa breve revista al alcance y utilidad de la legislación de lasCortes como fuente de interés para el estudio de la historia agraria de la Castilla medieval.Tanto los ordenamientos de la corona como las peticiones de los procuradores comparten ciertointerés común por las políticas económicas, y dentro de ellas, por el fomento de la producciónagraria. De esta forma, en las Cortes se deliberó sobre una variedad de asuntos relacionados conla agricultura y la ganadería, con importantes resultados legislativos sobre el tema. ; The paper proposes a brief survey on the scope and utility of the Cortes'legislation as a valuable source for the study of agrarian history in medieval Castile. Both thelegislative work by the royal crown and the petitions of the procuradores share some commoninterest in economic policies, and hence in the promotion of the agrarian production. A varietyof topics related to breeding and agriculture in medieval Castile which came thus to bediscussed in the Cortes, leading to some influential legislative developments on the matter.

A theory of the margin has long featured in the work of medieval historians. Marginal regions are taken to be those of poor soil or geographical remoteness, where farmers experienced particular difficulties in grain production. It is argued that such regions were cultivated only when demographic pressure intensified in the thirteenth century, but that a combination of soil exhaustion and demographic decline resulted in severe economic contraction by the end of the fourteenth century. Marginal regions are seen not just as sensitive barometers of economic change but as important catalysts in that change. Despite the importance placed by historians on the general theory of the margin, this book represents the first detailed study of a 'marginal region'. It focuses upon East Anglian Breckland, whose blowing sands are among the most barren soils in lowland England. Drawing upon a wide range of sources, this study reconstructs Breckland's late medieval economy, and shows it to be more diversified and resilient than the stereotype depicted in marginal theory

As a result of large-scale excavations of a few unfortified settlements next to the capital city along with the previously received materials from studying the same category of archaeological sites, quite a huge amount of data has been collected that is fully sufficient in order to provide characteristic of material and some elements of spiritual culture of the population of the mentioned socio-economic formations. Most of the researched settlements were bound to sources of water supply. In the area where it was possible to trace whithin configuration of the excavations (Sofiivska Borshchahivka), there were traced streets planning and formation of the farmstead constructions. At some places certain traditions of inside constructions' layout and general features of housebuilding are noticed. The studied houses are deepened in the ground, in some cases on basements; to the living quarter sometimes was adjacent a lobby-entrance. At Sofiivska Borshchahivka village, two-chamber dwelling with floor in the living part was investigated; at Teremky settlement — a single-chamber dwelling with floor laid on the pegs pounded into the ground. The stove was placed by the entrance and directed towards it. In addition to the dwellings household constructions were found. The livestock farming is marked by the construction for fattening pigs at Khodosivka-Roslavske, the agriculture — by pits for grains at Sofiivska Borshchahivka. The main production facilities of ironmakers (Kremenyshche, Hodosivka-Kozakiv Yar), amber processing specialists (Khodosivka-Roslavske), specialists in pyrolysis of wood as well as subsidiary production facilities — woodworkers (Khodosivka-Roslavske), stoneworkers (Sofiivska Borshchahivka) and etc. were excavated. Tools of soil cultivation, harvesting and processing of the crop testify the developed agriculture, while spit and fetters clasps — developed livestock; special arrowheads — hunting; awn, fishing nets sinkers, hooks — fishing; hazel nutshells — gathering. The population was also engaged in gathering spice plants, dyes, fibers, fruits, mushrooms, berries, and, based on the natural conditions and modern documents — probably also in wild-honey farming. Tools and various facilities indicate spinning, weaving, manufacturing and repairing of shoes and clothing, while some tools, and unfinished items, production waste indicate metalworking. Artifacts of bones carving, woodworking tools, and findings indicating development of other industries are also recorded. In the collection we have a wide representation of household items, jewelry and details of a costume, amulets of pagan cults and those items of special piety of Christians with items of the temple service. Many elements of weapons, military equipment and equipment of a rider and a battle horse were collected. In addition to ceramic tableware, among which are products with glaze, sophisticated tableware, etc., fragments of glass tableware and metal pan were recorded. Some of jewelry items and insignia of the Orthodox worship not only reflect trade and cultural ties, but also characterize the perception of space by the population. The results of the excavations not only show that the information resource of rural sites is not yet exhausted, they not only emphasize the extraordinary nature of the material culture of the settlement Khodosivka-Roslavske even in comparison with neighboring locations, but also serve as an additional argument in favor of considering the sites of the capital suburbs as a separate social-economic and cultural formation. ; Масштабными раскопками нескольких неукрепленных пунктов в округе столицы вместе с ранее полученными данными относительно этой категории памятников накоплен массив материала, вполне достаточный для характеристики материальной и некоторых элементов духовной культуры населения указанных социально-экономических образований. Большинство изученных селищ расположены возле источников водоснабжения. Там, где это позволяют проследить площадь и конфигурация раскопов (Софиевская Борщаговка), зафиксированы уличная планировка и формирование усадебной застройки. Местами отмечены определенные традиции внутриусадебного размещения сооружений и общие черты домостроительства. Исследованные дома углублены в землю, в отдельных случаях возведены на подклетях, к жилому помещению иногда примыкал тамбур-вход. На селище Софиевская Борщаговка исследовано двухкамерное жилище с полом в жилой части, на поселении Теремки — однокамерное с полом, уложенном на вбитые в землю колья. Печь ставили возле входа и ориентировали устьем к последнему. Кроме жилищ известны хозяйственно-бытовые постройки, животноводство маркирует сооружение для откорма свиней из Ходосовки-Рославского, земледелие — ямы для зерна из Софиевской Борщаговки. Раскопаны основные объекты железоделов (Кременище, Ходосовка-Козаков яр), мастеров обработки янтаря (Ходосовка-Рославское) и сухой перегонки дерева (Софиевская Борщаговка) и вспомогательные — специалистов по обработке дерева (Ходосовка-Рославское) и камня (Софиевская Борщаговка) и др. Орудия обработки почвы, сбора и переработки урожая свидетельствуют о развитии зернового хозяйства, косы и застежка от пут — скотоводства, специфические наконечники стрел — охоты, острога, грузила от сеток, крючья — рыбной ловли, скорлупа лещины — собирательства. Занималось население и сбором пряно-вкусовых растений, красителей, волокон и плодов, а, исходя из природных условий и документов нового времени, вероятно и бортничеством. Орудия и приспособления указывают на прядение, ткачество, изготовление и ремонт обуви и одежды, а некоторые инструменты, незавершённые изделия, отходы производства — на металлообработку. Зафиксированы артефакты косторезного производства, деревообрабатывающие орудия, находки, свидетельствующие о развитии других отраслей. В коллекции широко представлены бытовой инвентарь, украшения и элементы костюма, имеются амулеты языческих культов и предметы личного благочестия христиан вместе с вещами храмового служения. Собрано немало предметов вооружения, воинского доспеха, а также снаряжения всадника и боевого коня. Кроме керамической посуды, среди которой — изделия с поливой, изысканные формы столовой и т. п., выявлены фрагменты стеклянного, металлическая сковородка. Часть украшений и инсигнии православного паломничества не только отражают торговые и культурные связи, но и характеризуют восприятие населением картины мира. Результаты раскопок не только демонстрируют неисчерпаемость информационного ресурса сельских памятников, не только подчеркивают неординарность материальной культуры поселения Ходосовка-Рославское даже в сравнении с соседними пунктами, но и выступают дополнительным аргументом в пользу рассмотрения памятников пригородов столицы как особого социально-экономического и культурного образования. ; Розгорнуте останнім часом масштабне вивчення неукріплених пам'яток у передмістях Києва разом з отриманими раніше даними дозволяє детально характеризувати специфіку матеріальної і простежених за матеріальними залишками елементів духовної культури середньовічного населення столичних околиць. Багатогалузеве розвинене господарство, високий рівень добробуту мешканців, простежені в процесі розкопок аспекти духовного життя засвідчують неординарність вивчених селищних структур і дозволяють вбачати у сільській окрузі столичного мегаполісу своєрідне соціокультурне явище.