Ale, Beer, and Brewsters in England: Women's Work in a Changing World, 1300-1600 [Hardcover]

Judith M. Bennett (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195073908 | ISBN-13: 978-0195073904 | Publication Date: November 7, 1996

Women brewed and sold most of the ale consumed in medieval England, but after 1350, men slowly took over the trade. By 1600, most brewers in London were male, and men also dominated the trade in many towns and villages. This book asks how, when, and why brewing ceased to be women's work and instead became a job for men. Employing a wide variety of sources and methods, Bennett vividly describes how brewsters (that is, female brewers) gradually left the trade. She also offers a compelling account of the endurance of patriarchy during this time of dramatic change.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a valuable work, not only because of its conclusions, but because of its tackling of the thorny problem of 'historicizing patriarchy.' Highly recommended."--Choice

"This lean, powerfully argued book merits attention both for its central theme and for its many insights into the development of brewing and the lives of those involved in the trade."--American Historical Review

About the Author

Judith M. Bennett is Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has published extensively on the history of women, particularly women in the middle ages. Her books include Women in the Medieval English Countryside (Oxford, 1987) and Sisters and Workers in the Middle Ages (co-editor, 1989).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (November 7, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195073908
• ISBN-13: 978-0195073904
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,056,193 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chock full of information, June 30, 2001

By 

Rat "marella13" (Florissant, MO USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ale, Beer, and Brewsters in England: Women's Work in a Changing World (Paperback)

I've been researching beer & brewing and this book was a great look at the time when the business changed from a largely female run, household-based, business, to a guild-organized, male-dominated business. I had no idea how the Black Death contributed to this change. A fascinating book!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beer and skittles!, November 22, 2008

By 

Frances S. Andrews (Sussex) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ale, Beer, and Brewsters in England: Women's Work in a Changing World (Paperback)

This book answered all the questions I asked of it. As part of my on-going research into the lives of women in England in this period it was excellent.