The High and Late Middle Ages in Sweden were revolutionary periods characterized by an economy that went from local self-sufficiency in the countryside to increased division of labour and emerging cities. The increased specialization in production required a growing number of transactions and trade at local, regional, and international levels and a monetary system that served as a medium of exchange, unit of account and standard for credit. Historical records on transactions and prices can show which commodities and goods traded at different prices, but prices can also signal the relative abundance or scarcity of specific commodities. The analysis in this book is based on an enormous and unique medieval database of such Swedish documents on prices and wages during the 1268–1540 period.
In Volume I, the price development of the most important medieval commodities and goods are analysed statistically. The transactions and prices reflect 1) which commodities and goods underwent reorganization and technical development in production; 2) which commodities faced increased competition on a local and international level; and 3) changing trade and consumption patterns in the medieval society. Special focus is on inflation, relative prices, and price volatility. In Volume II, the entire database is presented in tabular form, sorted alphabetically and chronologically by commodities, goods, professions, services, exchange rates and interest rates.
