Sheilamae Reyes & Luis FonsecaAnthropology 179

02/27/2007

Demographic, economic and social trends during:• Expansion (1450-1520)• Stagflation (1520-1570)• Crisis (1570-1660)• Depression (1600-1660)

Case Study: Norman nobility

End of 100 Years War expulsed English from France

Threat to internal stability alleviated with Burgundy state collapse

Lower rates of epidemic Increase in agricultural production Higher standards of living Mortality rates decreased Countryside was repopulated as

abandoned villages from the English wars were resettled

Elites during the period• Recovered fortunes and income by 1500• End of civil war reconciliated Dauphines and

Burgundians• Increased internal strength in economic and

socioeconomic terms and state territory grew

Population and economy:• The population was double by 1560 from a

low, at 20 million But this was a point just before decline Population growth outpaced food production

• By 1540’s food production reached ceiling in south of France (but agricultural production varied from region to region)

• Population growth caused increase in land prices and rent Peasants were paying ½ of production to

landlord

This period marked by worsening economic situation for commoners (working poor and farm managers)• Average real wages fell• Agricultural wages fell

Some farmers did well during this period

Inequality grew among commoners, between working poor and farmers

Elites and the State• Growing inequality and rise in land costs

increased income Elites able to provide inheritance to sons Expanded nobility from dividing family estates For example, the top elite grew from 12 in 1505 to 36

in 1588• However, elite power to collect revenue

declined and led to financial crises in the state, lost control of army in 1562 royal finances collapsed as there was

insufficient funds to meet military expenditures Civil War

Population growth ceased• Population in 1720 the same as in 1560• Plague was carried by troops• Famine, weather and civil war• War: within and external

War of Religion Rebellions

Different regions experienced variations in demographic changes

Each region experienced different conflicts• Religious conflicts in South was most

intense in 1568, production fell in 1560• North devastation not until 1590s

North vs. South of France• Expansion in North started after 1450• South achieved maximum population in

1540

Numerical dynamics of nobility• Ratio of noble to commoner in 1560 show slow

steady increase as general population grew at a faster rate

• As a result the proportion of nobility to commoner was declining

• Nobles peaked in number in the 16th century To enter nobility status

• Land ownership, office, marriage, university, military

• Growth of income from agriculture• Revenues from price of grain• Doubled incomes in 1540s

Population growth and overproduction of elite caused state breakdown• Example of Malthusian theory of population

growth effects• Financial ruin of state, loss of military

control, factionalism and civil war state collapse