What role did women play in the pre-industrial European economy? Sheilagh Ogilvie tackles this question in an original way, using a rich body of new evidence. By examining women's contribution to a particular pre-industrial economy--the German state of Wurttemberg--Ogilvie casts doubt on most of the extensive literature about pre-industrial women's work. She also refutes the theory of 'social capital' which claims that traditional networks, like guilds with their shared norms, benefitted everyone.

• List of Figures


• List of Tables


• Abbreviation of Sources


• Coinage


• Glossary


• 1: Introduction


• 2: The Social and Demographic Framework


• 3: Daughters and Maidservants


• 4: Married Women


• 5: Widows


• 6: Independent Unmarried Women


• 7: A Bitter Living


• References