This volume looks at interactions between territories, peoples and religions across the Mediterranean, and at the influence of the Mediterranean economy around the world. Topics include: trade across the Chritian-Muslim fontier; the relative importance of local and long distance trade in economic development; the policies of Frederick II and his successors towards Jews and Muslims; and the complex political relationships within the western and central Mediterranean in the aftermath of the revolt of the Sicilian Vespers. It also covers Italian merchants and bankers as far afield as London and Southampton, and the business affairs of Lorenzo de'Medici. Taken as a whole, this collection of writings presents an original, Mediterranean perspective and politics of middle and late medieval Europe.