The period 960 to 1400 covers a time of significant historical changes in China. The Song, Yuan and early Ming dynasties saw migration to the south, the birth of a new elite in the educated class, increased commercialisation, a revival of the influence of Confucianism and, in the very early years of the 12th century until 1368, invasion by a foreign force. Despite such developments, previous studies suggest that the basic institutions of property and marriage were not …showed first 75 words of 2742 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2742 total…codifying of local traditional customs already practised in the south. It becomes clear that it is impossible to look at one possible cause for the changes in women's rights to property and marriage without considering the rest. They all had their effects to various degrees. Equally, one cannot separate the traditions of property and marriage. Marriage was the means by which was property was transmitted and property was the foundation upon which marriage was based.