Yes, capitalism is born in the Middle Ages

In "The birth of capitalism in the Middle Ages," Jacques Heers undertakes to liberate the economic and financial history of the shackles of its materialist and Marxist reading that has long been dominant in France. For this relatively short order (the account of book 310 pages), he delivers what is for him, between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, the foundation stages of the emergence of a first form of capitalism.

The book begins on the foundations of monetary economics - the gold and silver mines - and trade these precious metals. Jacques Heers then analyzes the first activities that could be called a bank: the exchange first, then the loans and wear. It demonstrates that this capitalism, serving tangible economic activities, is in aeuvre by a large segment of the population, not only by "experts" that are Lombards, Jews or Cahorsins. Prohibited formulated by the Church, including wear, are only slightly observed. Generally borrows for some time: in cities to face significant expenditures of an exceptional nature (eg a marriage), in the countryside to buy seeds, a beast of burden or pay pickers.

The second half of the book discusses the fate and activities of great families, great fortunes and their relationship with power. Heers also mentions the first paper money experiences and money of account before analyzing the thorny issue of discomfort and Public Finance Bankruptcy (municipal or state-wide), especially in the kingdom of France, the Templars Caeur to Jacques.

Write in a clear style and handling of relatively simple concepts, "The birth of capitalism in the Middle Ages" allows the reader to understand the basic concepts and acquire a general and complete view on medieval monetary economy.