The Hungry City: A Year in the Life of Medieval Barcelona
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This detailed account of a famine year in Barcelona examines how the city’s leaders and residents responded to a severe food crisis. It explores the strain placed on social hierarchies, trade networks, political institutions, and religious practices during the shortage.
The author (1970–2024), a historian specializing in medieval Spain, focused on the years 1333–34. Her research was driven by contemporary chronicles that described extreme food scarcity and the resulting social unrest.
Grain shortages—especially acute for the poor, who relied heavily on bread—were at the heart of the crisis. Kelleher traces how the city sourced grain through complex import systems and how distribution was managed within Barcelona.
Contributing to the disruption were Mediterranean pirates, including some operating on behalf of Barcelona, who interfered with trade routes. The Crown also sought to use the crisis to advance political restructuring. Meanwhile, ordinary people scavenged for seeds and resorted to eating grass.
Thoroughly researched and accessible, the book provides a clear view of the political and logistical challenges of managing famine in a medieval urban context.
Hardcover. Maps.
