Rural specialisation and commercialisation in the former county of Flanders in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period

Research questions, definitions and methodological starting point In this article, we will investigate the evolution of specialisation and commercialisation in the former county of Flanders. This investigation covers a long period: namely, from about the 10th to the 16th centuries. To a great extent, it is of a general and theoretical character. Since we will deal with concepts that are often used in different senses, some definitions seem useful. By our definition, “commercialisation” refers.