La diffusion et la production de la canne à sucre (XIII-XVI siècles)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present the conditions which have prevailed during the rise of the cane-plantation and the transformation of the sugar-cane into the Kingdom of Valencia during the XVth century. The analysis is based on a rich material extracted from the royal archives and notarial documents concerning companies to exploit sugar-mill. agreements between peasants and landlords etc. The paper reveals the crucial role of the local muslim community in the culture of sugar-cane. Emphasis is put on the fact that the competition with the cane-sugar producted in the Atlantic islands has brought the definitive decline of the cycle of the cane-plantation in Valencia on a large scale. On discussing the technological problems and relations of production, references are made on the main questions developped by the historiography about cane-sugar production in the Mediterranean area during the Middle Ages.