Wolfthal, Diane: — Medieval Money, Merchants, and Morality.

11 2023, (20,5 x 25,4 cm), 232 pp. English, 150 colour ills., hardcover. The rise of the monetary economy transformed every aspect of medieval Europe, including its values and culture. Medieval Money is a timely look at the economic revolution that took place in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. It traces the origins of global money, and surveys economic history, focusing on the environment, the plague, Jews and institutions. The iconography, minting and foreign exchange of coins are examined, and the choice that Christians faced is investigated: should they save their money or their soul? The authors explore images of avarice, the greedy punished in hell, and immoral ways to earn and spend money, and analyse representations of charity and voluntary poverty. Final chapters examine the material culture of the monetary economy—from an illuminated oath for minters to purses and lockboxes—and images of medieval money management.