Reflecting the vigour of both urban and medieval history, this timely textbook by a leading scholar of urban studies is a broadly interdisciplinary work that breaks new ground by emphasising the links between the late medieval and early modern cities.

Urban Europe, 1100-1700:
- examines the common social, governmental, economic and intellectual roles played by most pre-modern cities
- views cities as originating in local market relations, then expanding with the growing complexity of their functions into regional centres of culture, government and exchange
- adopts an organic, evolutionary and environmental approach, particularly in its application of geographical systems to early urbanisation
- makes extensive use of maps and original source material to illustrate aspects of the urban experience

David Nicholas' study will appeal to students and scholars of history, geography and urban studies. Sociologists and political economists will also value its demonstration of the continuing relevance of the thought of Max Weber, while urban planners will find its analysis of the rationality of pre-modern cities highly useful.