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Was the Manorial System an Efficient Insurance Institution? Economic Stress and Demographic Response in Sweden, 1749–1859

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Author

Summary, in English

In much of preindustrial Europe the manorial estate was an important institution in the rural economy. Despite a widespread view that the estates insured its tenants against uncertainties, there is little evidence that measures taken were efficient. This study uses the impact of grain prices on demographic outcomes as a measure of the efficiency of the manorial system in protecting its inhabitants against economic stress. Looking at 400 parishes in southern Sweden (1749–1859) the manorial estate seems to have been able to insure its inhabitants against risks of economic stress, but the protective effect was highly imperfect, and only short term.

Publishing year

2012

Language

English

Pages

292-310

Publication/Series

European Review of Economic History

Volume

16

Issue

3

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Topic

  • Economic History

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1474-0044