成就与局限——中世纪英格兰工业机械化探微

Achievements and Limitations——A Probe into Industrial Mechanization in Medieval England

中世纪英格兰的工业机械化与经营方式发生了翻天覆地的变化。水力和风力磨坊遍布英格兰各地,磨面基本上实现了机械化,漂洗和冶铁等工业部门也广泛使用机器。中世纪磨坊的经营方式也在发生着转变,领主对磨坊的投资和控制日益衰落,乡绅、富裕的工商业者和妇女逐渐代替领主的角色投资工业磨坊,并获得长租期和某些特权。同时也应看到,尽管中世纪工业磨坊的数量有所增加,但工业机械化主要局限于磨面、粉碎麦芽、制革、漂洗和冶铁等少数行业,绝大多数工业很少或没有从中受益。领主和承租人投资角色的互换直到15世纪下半期才刚刚开始,经营方式的实质性变革尚需假以时日,中世纪工业革命之说似乎有些言过其实。

Industrial mechanization and operations in m powered and wind- powered mills appeared everywhere Machines are also widely applied into industrial sections mills were changing too. Investments and controls over edieval England have changed dramatically. Water- , and flour- milling has been basically mechanized. such as fulling and iron. The operations of medieval mills by lords inclined gradually, and esquires, rich industrialists and merchants and women took the place of lords to invest industrial mills. They obtained long lease term and some privileges. In the meanwhile, we should see that, although the numbers of medieval in- dustrial mill somewhat increased, industrial mechanization mainly limited to few industries as flour- milling malt -grinding, leather- processing, fulling and iron. Most industries benefited a little or hardly. Exchange of investing role of lords and lessees did not begin until the second half of the 15th century, and real innova- tions of operation is still in due course. Therefore, the statement of medieval industrial revolution seems to be exaggerated.