Early Modern economic and social history

The foundation and decoration of funeral chapels in the Córdoba Cathedral during the early modern era provide us with valuable information about complex social networks surrounding the cathedral's administration during the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. The decoration's purpose was to decodify a series of interpretative signs that were invisible but which at the same time formed part of a contemporary array of expectations that would not have escaped the view of an educated observer. The cathedral contained what we are calling spaces of justification, essentially private chapels endowed by possibly converso canons where iconography and decoration can be seen as visual discourses of justification, legitimation, and social mobility.

Il seminario si propone un confronto tra le ricerche dedicate a ricostruire le dinamiche socio-economiche relative all’amministrazione e alle pratiche forestali della Val di Fiemme nel periodo compreso tra la fine dell’700 e il ‘900. Sarà l’occasione per fornire una panoramica dello stato dell’arte della storia economica, sociale e ambientale delle Alpi, con alcuni approfondimenti su ricerche che riguardano le risorse naturali e i domini collettivi in corso nella nostra regione.

In collaborazione con il Progetto Prin 2022 – “Valorising rural commons for a greener and fairer society. Insights from Southern and Northern Italy” e con il  Progetto Prin 2022  “Bridging geography and history of woodlands: analysing mountain wooded landscapes through multiple sources and historical GIS” dell’Università di Trento.

El principal objetivo de este trabajo es ofrecer al lector un listado de las imposiciones municipales de Barcelona durante la segunda mitad del reinado de Alfonso el Magnánimo, esto es, las décadas de 1430, 1440 y 1450. Mediante el análisis de documentación de índole económica y actas concejiles, se exponen no solo los distintos productos gravados por cada uno de los impuestos, sino también las tarifas que se aplicaban a cada uno de ellos y los cambios que experimentaron a lo largo de los años estudiados. Estos a menudo estuvieron motivados por la situación política del momento, en la cual jugó un papel determinante el enfrentamiento entre los partidos de la Busca y la Biga.

Paysan normand en costume ancien; carte postale, collection des frères Neurdein, Paris 1906. À ce jour, le mystère de Toussaint Toupin reste tout entier. Un jeune Normand « retontit » dans la jeune colonie de Nouvelle-France avec un secret bien gardé… Ou encore, peut-on croire que sa réputation le précédait? Ainsi donc, le marin Toussaint Toupin débarque à Québec en 1630 alors âgé de 23 ans. Le mystère plane autour de ce jeune navigateur qui commandait le respect de tous, militaires et clergé inclus. D'après un commentaire daté du 23

This paperpresents the results ofresearch for a Doctorate undertakenfrom 1991 to 1995, in the Department ofArchaeology and Palaeoanthropology at the University ofNew England, Armidale, NSW The aim of the research was to construct a model for the transfer and adaptation of industrial technology from Britain to Australia in the nineteenth century. The paper considers what factors were important for the process of international technology transfer. This leads to hypotheses about how it should have been adapted as a result of its transfer. These are then tested by a comparison of the physical remains of the technology preserved in both countries. A generalised model for the transfer and adaption of industrial technology from Britain to Australia in the nineteenth century is then putforward. In order to construct a model for the transfer and adpation of industrial archaeology between Britain and Australia in the nineteenth century, published research on international technology-transfer,...

An approach to inequality and social mobility in Northern Castile (fifteenth and sixteenth centuries) 1 1 This work has been carried out as part of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation research project entitled Desarrollo comercial, desigualdad económica y movilidad social en la Castilla septentrional (1450-1580), Ref. PID2022-140952NB-I00.

This essay will discuss the relationship between the Great Divergence and the institution of capitalism. Capitalism is a system comprised of several institutions, such as a system for enforcing contracts and property rights, markets, and financial systems facilitating the accumulation and investment of capital. These institutions allow for the possibility of

Given the attention it receives in the sources, there is little doubt that slave runaways represented a major problem in the Ottoman Empire. The present study hopes to add to our understanding of this phenomenon by considering the information on fugitive slaves as recorded in the sharīʿa court records of Aleppo during the second half of the 16th and early 17th centuries. Using both quantitative evidence and anecdotal examples, the study explores a number of issues relating to slave networking, use of resources, the difficulties facing fugitives, the process of capture, the state's treatment of fugitives, and the question of slave agency. The study ends with a look at gender and racial factors affecting abscondment. It concludes with an affirmation that racial biases played an important role in encouraging abscondment.

Los puertos como enclaves de intercambios marítimos terrestres han sido y son núcleos propicios para la generación de actividad económica, pero a su vez por su condición de puerto y puerta, también se convierten en centros estratégicos desde el punto de vista económico y militar. Siguiendo esta premisa, la posición geográfica del Puerto de Cádiz, encrucijada de caminos abiertos a África y América, fue decisiva a la hora de convertirse en pieza indispensable de un complejo sistema financiero-comercial de ámbito mundial. A estas ventajas hay que añadirle la benignidad de su clima, como en un pequeño párrafo el comerciante chileno don Nicolás de la Cruz y Bahamonde hace de dicha excelencia durante su viaje a Cádiz en 1783: La ciudad de Cádiz pues, es privilegiada en este punto por la naturaleza. Colocada en una zona templada baxo los grados 36º 31´ 34´´ de latitud norte goza de un apacible y benigno clima. Su localidad dentro de la mar sin abrigo de montañas hace que sea un poco combatida de los vientos, pero sus quatro estaciones se presentan por lo común, sin tocar en los extremos… 1 Durante un largo período de tiempo, nuestra ciudad había aprovechado su situación de puerta del Mediterráneo, así como su cercanía al norte de África, para establecer un fuerte comercio con este. Sin embargo, una vez que se refuerza su posición atlántica debido al desplazamiento progresivo del comercio con el Nuevo Mundo, el papel del puerto cambia. Sin perder nunca de vista sus enlaces mediterráneos, el viraje hacia Occidente se acentuó, reforzando a la par sus vínculos con la Europa noroccidental, y su condición de punta de lanza hacia el Nuevo Mundo fue reforzada por su carácter de cabecera del monopolio español con sus Indias. El Puerto de Cádiz será objeto de nuestra comunicación. Vamos a realizar un amplio recorrido por la historia del puerto en relación a la ciudad y a su bahía, desde los inicios hasta nuestros días, para centrarnos en el análisis de los años que preceden y en los que se dictan las Leyes del Libre Comercio. Con este fin hemos organizado el trabajo de la forma siguiente. Comenzaremos estudiando la evolución que siguió el puerto de la ciudad desde las primeras noticias que nos llegan hasta la actualidad, analizando todo lo referente a su ubicación e infraestructura, estudiando los distintos intentos por crear un puerto más acomodado a las necesidades comerciales, y haremos referencia a las peticiones realizadas por parte de algunos sectores de la sociedad. De forma paralela, abordaremos el papel de relevancia que asume Cádiz a nivel comercial, lo que debió tener repercusión en su infraestructura. Analizaremos la legislación de Libre Comercio en función de las transformaciones y evolución que en materia comercial alcanza el

In March 1585, the creation of the noble branch of the Catholic League and the Guise call to arms were prepared so secretly that Henri III was taken unawares. This might seem surprising to historians. After all, the Guise family had played a central role in French political life since the start of the Wars of Religion and their political ambitions were regularly denounced by their opponents. Ever present in the interpretations of the events highlighted by historians who have been influenced by the political rhetoric of the time, the Guise did not, however, represent the main threat in the eyes of the government authorities in March 1585. Rather than a secretive, transnational uprising led by the Guise, this article argues that the monarchy primarily feared a traditional noble revolt led by the duc de Montmorency, governor of Languedoc, which explains the surprise of the king at the start of this Catholic League and his unreadiness to face this threat.

It is clearly established that the Greeks traded in Livorno in large numbers from the mid-eighteenth century onwards. A combination of initiatives undertaken by local authorities, together with the entrepreneurial opportunities arising from the oscillating dominance of the European powers in the Mediterranean, helped to expand the role of Livorno as an important node of the Greek commercial network. Many sources show that the Greek-owned fleet played an important role in this development, and the most important were the ships from Messolonghi.

Wanneer in de 7 de en de 8 ste eeuw de graanproductie toeneemt voor de bevoorrading van de bevolking met brood en de naakte granen, zoals tarwe en rogge, opkomen dan verschijnen de eerste watermolens in de Lage Landen.  Dit artikel vertelt meer over de molens, de eigenaars en de molenaars.

El carácter de la política Carolina hacia los moriscos ha sido definido por el profesor Fernández ÁJvarez como de contemporización, después de una fase de violencia que situó a los mudejares valencianos y aragoneses ante la disj^untiva de bautismo o difícil exilio '. Ambas partes -la Corona y la minoría-llegan a configurar un modus vivendi, en expresión de Antonio Domínguez Ortiz y Bemard Vincent ^, ya que, si bien existen una serie de disposiciones represivas, éstas no se aplican con firmeza y en la práctica las tradiciones culturales moriscas se mantienen. En la evolución de la política del Emperador hacia los moriscos granadinos podemos distinguir un primer momento de definición, centrado en la Junta de la Capilla Real de 1526 y los decretos que completan y desarrollan lo acordado en ella, y una etapa de contemporización en la que estos acuerdos van a quedar sin aplicación efectiva, mientras se producen una serie de negociaciones entre los moriscos y el Santo Oficio, con la mediación de los Mendoza, que pretenden paralizar, o al menos amortiguar, la represión inquisitorial como requisito básico para el mantenimiento del modus vivendi.

Bu çalışmada, Bogdan G. Popescu’nun yazarı olduğu İmparatorluk Sınır Bölgeleri: Habsburg Askeri Sınırının Kurumları ve Mirasları adlı kitabın tanıtılması amaçlanmıştır. İncelenen eserin ilk ve tek baskısı, 2024 yılında yapılmış olup 317 sayfadan oluşmaktadır. Kitap, Ekler ve Bibliyografya kısımları hariç, yedi bölümden oluşmaktadır. Kitabın dili İngilizcedir. Kitapta sırasıyla, “1. Tarihsel Devletler, Emperyalizm ve Kalkınma”, “2. Emperyalizm ve Çıkarcı Kurumlar: Teorik Bir Çerçeve”, “3. Habsburg Askeri Sınırı”, “4. Askeri Sömürgecilik ve Ekonomik Kalkınma”, “5. Sömürge Kurumları ve Sosyal Normlar”, “6. Kalıcı Miraslar – Siyasi Tutumlar ve Sosyal Sermaye” ve “7. Habsburgların Ötesinde” başlıklı bölümler yer almaktadır. Her bölüm, öznelerine göre alt başlıklara ayrılmış olup konular detaylı bir açıklama ve akademik bir anlatım içermektedir. Sonuç olarak eserin, yazarın ele aldığı konular hakkında temel bilgi sahibi olan üniversite öğrencileri, araştırmacılar ve akademisyenler için uygun olduğu düşünülmektedir.

Esta ponencia fue presentada el pasado 23 de abril de 2025 en la sesión sobre Guerras de Italia del congreso internacional "Guerra y Sociedad III. Estrategia, ejércitos, historia naval, organización y cultura militar en el mundo moderno (1500-1800)", del que también he sido secretario científico. El congreso fue organizado en el Instituto de Historia del Centro de Ciencias Humanas y Sociales del Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) entre los días 23 y 26 de abril de 2025 bajo la coordinación de Enrique García Hernán y Davide Maffi. El texto será publicado en un libro colectivo editado por Editorial CSIC.

El expansionismo, revanchismo o irrendentismo borbónico de Felipe V en el Mediterráneo, y particularmente en Italia, ha sido objeto en las últimas décadas de una gran atención historiográfica, la cual se ha centrado sobre todo en sus aspectos diplomáticos o logísticos. No obstante, se han producido pocas aportaciones que arrojen luz sobre el propio desarrollo de las campañas desde el punto de vista de la experiencia personal de soldados y oficiales, en el marco de la historia social de la guerra. La participación en las intervenciones en Italia marcó profundamente los itinerarios vitales y profesionales de la oficialidad española del siglo XVIII, lo que se plasmó en su correspondencia, expedientes personales y hojas de servicio. Sin embargo, cabe destacar una tipología documental que ofrece cuantiosa información sobre la crudeza del servicio en campaña y las estrategias de los oficiales para defender sus derechos ante sus superiores y mejorar sus condiciones de servicio: los memoriales y solicitudes. En ellos, las narraciones de los acontecimientos militares son empleadas para reivindicar la actuación del militar y reclamar ascensos, traslados, auxilio económico o incluso cambios en la conducción de las operaciones. Resultan especialmente interesantes los memoriales de ingenieros militares, pues estos desempeñaron importantes responsabilidades durante estas contiendas, dado el protagonismo de la guerra de asedio y su papel habitual como cuartel maestre, lo que les otorgaba competencias sobre la logística o la organización de los ejércitos. De entre las tres principales guerras de Italia del XVIII, y pese a que los ingenieros sobresalieron y sufrieron importantes bajas en todas ellas, la que destaca por su dureza y extensión cronológica fue la Guerra de Sucesión austríaca, cuyo teatro italiano (1741-1748), a la sombra de los más estudiados escenarios del norte de Europa, presenció sangrientas batallas como la de Camposanto o Madonna del Olmo, complejos asedios como los de Demont, Cuneo o Tortona, penosas marchas a través de los Alpes o humillantes retiradas como la de 1746 hacia la frontera francesa tras la debacle de Piacenza o Plasencia. Estos hechos de armas están muy presentes en los memoriales y solicitudes de ingenieros, sobre todo en los de altos oficiales como Juan Martín Cermeño, Juan de la Ferrière o Gerónimo Amici, los cuales utilizaron sus penalidades para defender su reputación y tratar de obtener concesiones. En esta ponencia analizaremos su contenido y su tipología, identificaremos la interesante novedad de los memoriales colectivos, firmados por varios oficiales o por comandantes en representación de grupos de subordinados, y pondremos de relieve la utilidad de esta documentación para reconstruir trayectorias personales y ampliar la información disponible sobre campañas militares de las que todavía ignoramos muchos de sus elementos.

This paper provides an overview of the various financial resources that existed in medieval Tirol to meet financial needs, using notary registers and court records from the 14 th century as sources. These provide ample evidence of an active capital and land market in rural areas, which offered various ways of saving and investing money. Saving and investment behaviour was crucial for coping with external adversities such as harvest failure, but also with life events (marriage, bringing up children, retirement), and households sought to manage these risks. The results show that the poor and the rich behaved differently when it comes to investing and saving, and that their behaviour was strongly influenced by access to different financial instruments.

Led by an interdisciplinary consortium, the Garzoni project undertakes the study of apprenticeship, work and society in early modern Venice by focusing on a specific archival source, namely the Accordi dei Garzoni from the Venetian State Archives. The project revolves around two main phases with, in the first instance, the design and the development of tools to extract and render information contained in the documents (according to Semantic Web standards) and, as a second step, the examination of such information. This paper outlines the main progress and achievements during the first year of the project.

RESUMEN: El intenso desarrollo económico e institucional vivido por Castilla a finales del medievo tuvo un impacto notable en la vida urbana y, por supuesto, en el mundo rural. La progresiva reforma de instituciones como la justicia, enmarcada dentro un complejo puzle jurisdiccional, y el desarrollo de actividades comerciales y financieras en las villas castellanas propiciaron  que,  con  cierta  asiduidad,  los  vecinos  del  entorno  rural  acudiesen  a  la  justicia  local en caso de ver peligrar sus derechos económicos. Este trabajo centra su atención en este fenómeno, la conflictividad rural por deudas a fines del siglo xv. Al tratarse de una realidad poliédrica, serán objeto de análisis cuestiones como el encaje jurisdiccional, la composición de los tribunales, el origen de los conflictos económicos o el procedimiento judicial en sus diversas  instancias.  Todo  ello  con  el  fin  de  observar  el  impacto  de  instituciones  como  la  justicia o el notariado en el desarrollo económico rural.

Palabras clave: justicia; mundo rural; litigio; deuda; derechos económicos.
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ABSTRACT:  The  intense  economic  and  institutional  development  lived  by  Castile  at the end of the Middle Ages had a significant impact on urban life and, of course, on the rural world. The progressive reform of institutions such as justice, framed within a complex jurisdictional  puzzle,  and  the  development  of  commercial  and  financial  activities  in  the Castilian villages favoured that, with certain assiduity, the neighbors of the rural environment turned to the local justice in case of jeopardizing their economic rights. This paper focuses on this phenomenon, the rural conflict over debts at the end of the fifteenth century. As it is a multifaceted reality, issues such as the jurisdictional framework, the composition of the courts, the origin of economic conflicts or the judicial procedure in its different instances will be analyzed. All of the above in order to observe the impact of institutions such as justice or the notary’s office on rural economic development.

Keywords: justice; rural world; litigation; debt; economic rights

RESUMEN: El intenso desarrollo económico e institucional vivido por Castilla a finales del medievo tuvo un impacto notable en la vida urbana y, por supuesto, en el mundo rural. La progresiva reforma de instituciones como la justicia, enmarcada dentro un complejo puzle jurisdiccional, y el desarrollo de actividades comerciales y financieras en las villas castellanas propiciaron  que,  con  cierta  asiduidad,  los  vecinos  del  entorno  rural  acudiesen  a  la  justicia  local en caso de ver peligrar sus derechos económicos. Este trabajo centra su atención en este fenómeno, la conflictividad rural por deudas a fines del siglo xv. Al tratarse de una realidad poliédrica, serán objeto de análisis cuestiones como el encaje jurisdiccional, la composición de los tribunales, el origen de los conflictos económicos o el procedimiento judicial en sus diversas  instancias.  Todo  ello  con  el  fin  de  observar  el  impacto  de  instituciones  como  la  justicia o el notariado en el desarrollo económico rural.

Palabras clave: justicia; mundo rural; litigio; deuda; derechos económicos.
_________

ABSTRACT:  The  intense  economic  and  institutional  development  lived  by  Castile  at the end of the Middle Ages had a significant impact on urban life and, of course, on the rural world. The progressive reform of institutions such as justice, framed within a complex jurisdictional  puzzle,  and  the  development  of  commercial  and  financial  activities  in  the Castilian villages favoured that, with certain assiduity, the neighbors of the rural environment turned to the local justice in case of jeopardizing their economic rights. This paper focuses on this phenomenon, the rural conflict over debts at the end of the fifteenth century. As it is a multifaceted reality, issues such as the jurisdictional framework, the composition of the courts, the origin of economic conflicts or the judicial procedure in its different instances will be analyzed. All of the above in order to observe the impact of institutions such as justice or the notary’s office on rural economic development.

Keywords: justice; rural world; litigation; debt; economic rights

In the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, fairs played a decisive role in trade and finance in pre-modern Europe. Many cities endeavoured to obtain a fair privilege and attract as many merchants as possible. Through the economic activities and infrastructures provided, a supra-regional spatial configuration gradually emerged, which was not only made up of places within a region, but across the whole of Europe and in some cases the wider world. The interconnectedness (and competition) of the fairs and markets, as well as their timing (often rhythmically coordinated), make these events an ideal subject for spatial and temporal analysis. We have carried out such an analysis as part of a larger project and we want to present the approach and methodology in the lecture and then discuss it with you. This includes a presentation of the project database, its functionalities, and opportunities to participate: https://fairs-in-history.huma-num.fr/

This article explores the concept of the archipelago as a geographical reality and a figure of thought in relation to Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor's novel The Dragonfly Sea (2019). It demonstrates how the long history of maritime connections between Kenya and China are rendered narratively as both proximate and distant, connected yet separate. Owuor's novel is set in the Lamu archipelago in the Indian Ocean close to the northern coast of Kenya, to which it belongs. The narrative showcases Pate Island as a microcosm of archipelagic complexity, where cosmopolitan accommodation toward strangers coexists with conditions characterized by protective insularity and social strictures. An attentiveness to the environmental and geopolitical nature of the archipelago reveals the narrative's critique of China's (neo-)imperial pursuits in Kenya and its alternative social imaginaries that think Pate-as-world in order to foreground embedded, localized knowledge of environmental care for the island and its surrounding sea.

The Allen-Unger Database contains price series for commodities from locations in Europe from the late Middle Ages to 1914 and also from cities in the Americas, the Middle East and the Far East. It is also possible to search for series by date range, location and commodity or any combination of the three. Data are reported in Excel spreadsheets with the files downloadable. The Database serves as a useful tool for various forms of research in economic history and in social history with the information presented in an easily accessible and flexible format. The data are available at three different sites, each with its own unique features and advantages.

A HYDRAULIC FACILITY DATING FROM THE LATE MEDIEVAL PERIOD DISCOVERED IN MĂGURENI (PRAHOVA COUNTY) - The village of Măgureni is located in the central-western part of Prahova County, on the left bank of the Provița Rivulet, precisely in the contact zone between the Subcarpathian Hills and the Târgoviște–Ploiești Plain. Benefiting from its dual advantage of accessibility via the Prahova and Provița Valleys and the possibility of seeking refuge among the nearby hills and forests in times of danger, the settlement was chosen as one of the residences of the Cantacuzino noble family. During the turbulent historical period of transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era, such a location was highly valued.
In the second half of the 17th century, Drăghici Cantacuzino built a sumptuous manor at Măgureni. Constructed with brick walls, it featured cellars, a ground floor, an upper floor, and semi-cylindrical vaults with such large spans that central support pillars were required. During this period, it was one of the most imposing architectural monuments in Wallachia.
In addition to the manor, religious buildings, servant quarters and various outbuildings were also constructed. Some of these, such as the water mills on the Prahova River, are documented in historical records. However, little is known today about most of these structures.
At present one of the few possibilities available to us for obtaining new information about the history and monuments of these sites is archaeological research. This type of investigations were carried out in 2022 on a spot located on the left bank of the Provița Rivulet, approximately 580 meters northwest of the ruins of the “Drăghici Cantacuzino” manor.
During the archaeological investigations undertaken in 2022 in the Provița riverbed, an area of approximately 450 square meters was explored. The research uncovered the remains of a large-scale building made from alternating rows of bricks joined with lime and sand mortar, and rows of cobblestone.
The very high level of the water table prevented the complete investigation of these building remains. Currently, there is insufficient data to precisely associate this building with a specific activity. However, considering the location where these discoveries were made, it appears that was a large-scale structure employed in a manufacturing sector that was making use of waterpower.
Based on the construction techniques, the materials used, and the historical context, a preliminary dating of the structure to the 17th-18th centuries can be proposed. Historical and ethnographic data indicate that during the preindustrial period, such facilities that hat were making use of waterpower, were most often used in the food sector (for water mills or oil presses), the construction materials sector (for brick production or operating hydraulic saws and cutting equipment), and the textile sector (for washing, stretching, or twisting fibers and fabrics).

Producto de un seminario de investigación coordinado por Óscar Mazín y Armando Hernández Soubervielle en 2017, se generaron siete estudios relacionados con la monarquía hispánica desde diferentes aproximaciones, geografías y abordajes teóricos y metodológicos.

Diversity of Re-Conceptualization in the English Translation of Economic Governance of Yue State: ——A Case Study of Biographies of the Money-makers
Abstract：This article focuses on conceptualization of way of governance in wealth-accumulation during the rise of Yue state in Biographies of the Money-makers of Records of the Grand Historian. From the perspective of conceptual re-conceptualization, it compares the cognitive construal and operation of three translators: Yang Xianyi, Burton Watson, and Stephen Durrant. The understanding of the translators is diverse, stemming from the variety of lexicons in the intralingual translation of classical Chinese.There are differences in their re-conceptualization operations, which are reflected in the abstraction and concretion, clarification and obscurity, emphasis and completeness of the elements and levels of governance principles. Yang’s translation adopts numerical abstraction, category concretion, and the obscurity and prominence of elements and relationships, conveying cultural information succinctly with minimal cognitive effort required from readers, targeting the general readership to achieve a popularizing effect. Both Watson and Durrant choose numerical concretion, category abstraction, and the clarification and completeness of elements and relationships, fully conveying the cultural information of China, requiring moderate cognitive effort from readers, highlighting the literary value of Records of the Grand Historian. Durrant’s translation includes comprehensive annotations, presenting rich academic information, requiring the highest level of cognitive effort from readers, benefiting the comprehensive dissemination of the academic value of Records of the Grand Historian.

Microfinance is now considered one of the most efficient ways through which females in Uttarakhand especially those in the rural area can be empowered. This paper discusses the complex nature and positive effects that the microfinance has on women and their role in the society by empowering them economically and raising their levels and expertise in decisionmaking within their homes and societies. Taking the programs and institutions that are implemented in the Uttarakhand state such as the Self-Help Groups (SHGs), micro financing institutions like Utkarsh Micro Finance and NABARD the study has highlighted the positive changes that micro financing has brought within the lives of women. While there has been some progress that has been made, major issues like geographic limitations, lack of understanding of money management issues, and high costs of operations are still present, meaning that there is need to find better solutions which will allow for more effective changes for the long run and include different groups of people. Thus, understanding these challenges and using the strengths of microfinance, Uttarakhand can go a long way in enhancing woman's economic status as well as contribute to the enhancement of living standards of the community.

Microfinance is now considered one of the most efficient ways through which females in Uttarakhand especially those in the rural area can be empowered. This paper discusses the complex nature and positive effects that the microfinance has on women and their role in the society by empowering them economically and raising their levels and expertise in decisionmaking within their homes and societies. Taking the programs and institutions that are implemented in the Uttarakhand state such as the Self-Help Groups (SHGs), micro financing institutions like Utkarsh Micro Finance and NABARD the study has highlighted the positive changes that micro financing has brought within the lives of women. While there has been some progress that has been made, major issues like geographic limitations, lack of understanding of money management issues, and high costs of operations are still present, meaning that there is need to find better solutions which will allow for more effective changes for the long run and include different groups of people. Thus, understanding these challenges and using the strengths of microfinance, Uttarakhand can go a long way in enhancing woman's economic status as well as contribute to the enhancement of living standards of the community.

All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 288 Historical Reflections / Reflexions Historiques tragic fin de siecle , sparking among some an acute sense of eschatological dread and anticipation, while eliciting from others an urge for stoic withdrawal and impassivity before the chaos which seemed to engulf them.2 For many reasons, the conversion of Henri IV in 1593 stands at a crossroads of sorts in the development of the French monarchy and French political culture. His long-awaited and dramatic encounter with God at the abbey church of St-Denis proved to be the first in a series of steps by Henri IV to end the wars that had ravaged France for thirty years and to begin rebuilding the crown's shattered authority and tarnished prestige. Once charted, his successors never strayed from this course throughout the next century as they re-fashioned the French monarchy and the society it governed in a process known as the growth of Bourbon absolutism.3 What made the absolutist system erected by the Bourbons so distinctive is a question that has agitated the minds of historians for many years. Some, such as Georges Pages, Roland Mousnier, and Richard Bonney, have gauged this expansion of royal power largely in terms of the elaboration of new instruments of rule, giving particular emphasis to the rise of the conseil d'etat , the venality of offices, and the intendancy.4 Historians of political thought, such as Pierre Mesnard, William F. Church, and Donald Kelley, to name only a few, have rightly pointed out that much of this progress depended on earlier, yet crucial changes that had taken place in ideas about kingship and the law during the sixteenth century.5 Recent work deciphering the intricate

El objetivo de este artículo consiste en hacer un estudio general de las relaciones que mantuvieron la casa ducal de Medina Sidonia y el monasterio de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, a través de la limosna que los duques concedieron a mitad del siglo XV a los religiosos de la orden jerónima. El pago, que en un principio era de 15 docenas de atunes, se convirtió en una incómoda carga con el paso de los años,  sobre todo desde  el momento en que el número de capturas de atunes comenzó a descender. La escasez de atunes, los compromisos y las deudas que los Pérez de Guzmán iban acumulando, provocaron que ambas instituciones acabaran pleiteando. A través de este trabajo, conoceremos las estrategias de defensa que ambas partes desarrollaron para mantener sus intereses, los donativos que hicieron los Medina Sidonia, el número de atunes capturados en las almadrabas y el procedimiento de entrega de los atunes.

The continued presence of many Spanish family names in Bruges attests not only to the activity of Spanish merchants in the town during the Fifteenth and Sixteenth centuries but also reflects their permanent integration in the local society. In the collection of Bruges family trees of the genealogist Jacob Kerchof appear the names of several Spanish families, such as those of d'Avila,

With the rise of the Chinese New deal, revolution, competition among great powers and Christianity in Northeast China at the beginning of the 20th century, with the support and promotion of the Danish YMCA， United Free Church of Scotland and International Committee of Y in U.S.A. and Canada, the United States Government and the education department of Fengtian Province, Mukden YMCA was prepared to found from 1911 and established in March 1914 in the two rented old Chinese compounds. In the process, the important role played not only first general secretary Elmer Yelton from U.S.A.，William MacNaughtan and Frank W. Scougal from United Free Church of Scotland ， Johannes Rasmussen from Danish YMCA and venerable priest Jens Christian Jensen Lykkegaard from Danish Lutheran Church， but also Chinese Elder Liu Yutang and three Chinese revolutionaries：Wang Shaoyuan，Ning Wu and Xiao Shujun. The Mukden YMCA was the product of interaction among the Christianity, the game of great powers, social education and the Revolution of 1911 in Northeast China.