Some praise for the Dutch doctoral thesis that formed the basis of this book.<BR><BR>`What he has given us is a masterly piece of fine scholarship, describing and clarifying many difficult questions of institutional history with respect to cathedral building in the late Middle Ages. From this point of view, the book will remain a classic. It will be a precious and necessary basis for further research about problems of structural change in the period concerned.' Herman Van der Wee in: Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians<BR><BR>`This monumental and erudite-but always thoroughly readable - economic analysis derives its unique interest from its continual reference to other domains and dimensions of religious experience.' Willem Frijhoff in: Archief voor de geschiedenis van de katholieke kerk in Nederland<BR><BR>`Various important studies of recent years, such as those by Duby, have already demonstrated the fundamental necessity of placing cathedrals not only in their cultural and artistic framework but in their social, economic and administrative context as well. This study fits seamlessly within that genre of work, in terms of both its aims and its qualities.' Frans Verhaeghe in: Annales: economies, societes, civilisations