The extent of citizenship in pre-industrial England, Germany, and the Low Countries. (27th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Minns, Chris; Crowston, Clare H; De Kerf, Raoul; De Munck, Bert; Hoogenboom, Marcel J; Kissane, Christopher M; Prak, Maarten; Wallis, Patrick H
• Is Part Of: European review of economic history. Volume 24:Number 3(2020:Aug.)
• Page Start: 601
• Page End: 625
• Publication Date: 2019-04-27
• Subjects: Economic history -- Periodicals; Europe -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 940
• DOI: 10.1093/ereh/hez005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1361-4916

Abstract

Abstract: Citizenship was the main vehicle through which urban authorities granted political and economic rights to their communities. This article estimates the size of the citizenry and citizenship rates for over 30 European towns and cities between 1550 and 1849. While the extent of citizenship varied between European regions and by city size, our estimates show that citizenship was more accessible than previously thought.