Urban politics and the role of guilds in the city of Utrecht (1250-1450)

Smithuis, J. (2019)

Doctoral Thesis

This thesis explores the development of urban politics and the role of craft guilds in the city of Utrecht in the period of about 1250 to 1450. Three issues are specifically addressed: the development of the city’s political institutions, seen from the viewpoint of social and political groups seeking representation and influence (chapters 1 and 2); the development of political discourse and urban historiography (chapter 3); and the role of violence in urban politics (chapters 4 and 5). Within the period under consideration, the main focus is to uncover dynamic processes, and not to present a static view of ‘late medieval’ institutions, practices and political culture in Utrecht. Late medieval urban government was in constant change, and in this period, particularly, important changes took place in the character of urban politics and the political role that the craft guilds and their membership played in Utrecht.

• Medieval Low Countries
• Urban history
• Elites
• Revolts
• Craft guilds
• Representation

• All authors: Smithuis, J.
• Supervisor: Hoppenbrouwers, P.C.M.
• Co-supervisor: Hoven van Genderen, A.J. van den
• Committee: Blockmans, W.P.; Haemers, J.; Prak, M.; Schmidt, A.; Stein, R.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: History, Humanities, Leiden University
• Date: 2019-02-06