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Medieval Inns and the Importance of Innkeepers

Inns had an important role in medieval England – they provided lodging, food and drink to travelers, merchants, the military and others who needed them.

But their business was more than just serving customers dinner and breakfast; innkeepers were some of the most prominent people in their towns and villages.

“They contributed to local political and cultural life and their business success was vital to their town’s prosperity”.

Famous historian John Hare

Here’s his take on what made an innkeeper so important in the Middle Ages.

The study by John Hare

In his study, John Hare discusses how inns were a crucial part of the economic infrastructure of medieval England. They were a place where people could eat, drink, rest, or transact business.

He refers to them as extraordinarily important to towns in terms of commerce. While it was more difficult for travellers to visit remote areas in those days because there were no trains or cars, they would often stay at inns because they provided both food and accommodation.

What the study found

John Hare, a historian at the University of Warwick, who authored the study entitled The Medieval English Inn: a Social and Economic History (2014), found that at a time of growing specialism, they were a crucial part of the economic infrastructure of the country.

This is because inns provided accommodation for travelers and served as local meeting places for information exchange. Furthermore, innkeepers were prominent members in society because they were required to be licensed by local justices.

The importance of innkeepers

Innkeepers were a crucial part of society in medieval England. They provided not just food and lodging, but an important economic benefit to the region.

John Hare, a professor of history at Arizona State University, reports that inns served as centers for trade and commerce. At a time of growing specialism, they were a crucial part of the economic infrastructure of the country he writes.

The future of innkeeping

Innkeeping is one of the oldest professions in history, but it’s future is uncertain. The rise of more specialized jobs has led to innkeepers being less prominent members of society. But with a changing job market, innkeeping may be an important profession once again.

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