The book examines the topic of paternal authority as it developed over a long period of time. The focus is on the power of fathers as manifested within a complex fabric of legal, social, economic, political and moral aspects. In early modern times, a father's power was based upon his personal and legal position as the one responsible for the family and the household in the sense of an economic unit, as well as on his moral authority over all those who belonged to said household. At the same time, the father was subject to public control, and his legal status was characterized not only by...