Medieval History and Social Space
In order to study the social space, historians have long been relying on the philosophy of Bourdieu, namely one individual stands out within the symbolic space and holds a position within the social space depending on their cultural and economic assets. This model backs the idea of a sociological determination. The contributors to the Analysis of Social Networks prefer another model which highlights the ability of individuals to reach fulfilment according to their positions within the network. Medieval historians now have access to the adequate tools to combine prosopography with the study of social networks. 1960s studies focused on the qualities of individuals and the average profile of a given reference population. Now, they focus on establishing a level centrality and the frequency of links.
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