Complex sentence: In the 1950s and early 1960s Ruddock's concerns shifted from the activities of Italian merchants in Southampton to a broader investigation of Italian mercantile networks and businesses in medieval Europe, her intention being to produce a' big' book on "Italian Merchants and Shipping".
Split into simpler sentences: In the 1950s and early 1960s, Ruddock's concerns shifted from the activities of Italian merchants in Southampton to a broader investigation of Italian mercantile networks and businesses in medieval Europe. She intended to produce a' big' book on "Italian Merchants and Shipping".