What were the contemporary views of public houses and the social good, or ill, that they represented? How did establishments relate to the other institutions common to community life in the early modern period?

Public houses were obvious centres of communication within communities, but what forms did this interaction take and were they a subversive or stabilising influence?

Public houses represented major economic assets and were significant employers. They also reflected local cuisines and tastes whilst often innovating in the provision of services to clients.

Who owned and ran drinking establishments in the early modern period and who were the customers?

Defining the styles of drinking establishment and how they fitted into communities.

Introducing this series on drinking culture in early modern Central Europe.