Disciplined Dissent in Western Europe, 1200-1600

This innovative collection explores the causes and effects of 'disciplined dissent' - forms of protest or political action positioned between the poles of submission and defiance. To identify the political influence of commoners, the emphasis is neither 'top down' nor 'bottom up' but on mutual influence and the interplay between rulers and ruled. Contributions concerning quite diverse polities show a careful opposition of non-elite people through an effort to respect the legislative system and to find common ground with the authorities. The aim was to emphasize aspects of the norms and institutions in favour of the benefit of the community, or to ensure adjustments of some aspects if found to be beneficial for the few and detrimental for many. The examination of non-violent pressure can help us to have a more exhaustive understanding of the protagonists, causes, and effects of socio-political changes in contexts of governmental development. The analysis includes cases of violent action that managed to secure royal approval. The premise of the book is that inequality, far from being accepted as normal and inevitable, was frequently questioned by less powerful people. When targeted by more or less evident forms of political marginalization, they laid claim to principles of justice and on this basis developed a critical comprehension of government, pursued a selective rejection of injustice, and gained recognition through negotiation.