Foundations of Gold and Silver

Money in Early Medieval Europe from the Fifth to the Twelfth Century

Rory Naismuth

Princeton University Press

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Since as far back as the middle ages, money has had a rich and dynamic role in commerce and in society. Historians generally agree that by the latter part of the twelfth century, it played a major part in the so-called commercial revolution.

In Foundations of Gold and Silver: Money in Early Medieval Europe from the Fifth to the Twelfth Century, historian Rory Naismith looks to back to earlier period, to understand the vital importance of money during a period of dramatic social, economic, and institutional change. The evolution of money systems during this period sheds a vivid light on the transformation that would follow. Naismith proposes that the roots of the commercial revolution can be found in the history of the monetary economy of this earlier era.