Commerce and conflict, friends and enemies, public and private, Medieval and Early Modern—all dichotomies. Or not. This seminar will explore the ways in which violence and war influenced international trade and the international merchant communities. How did those involved respond to threats and acts of violence and war? Could they use the situation to their own benefit? The ways in which the mingling of public and private initiatives meant that commerce and conflict might create efficiencies in maritime commerce will also be examined.
Admission Requirements
Entry test during the first class; Reading knowledge of Dutch is required, experience in reading medieval and sixteenth-century Dutch sources is recommended.
Time Table
Semester II, see timetables.
Method of Instruction
Research seminar; attendance is compulsory (see the rules and regulations of the Department of History, art. 2).
Course objectives
Students acquire insights into the relations between commerce and warfare in medieval and early modern Europe, with a focus on the Low Countries. They learn how to conduct research into published and unpublished administrative and other sources. Students are also expected to give an oral presentation and to write a paper in which they formulate and discuss a hypothesis in the form of a well-structured argument.
Required reading
Required reading for the entry test which will take place during the first class:
N. Steensgaard, ‘Violence and the rise of capitalism. Frederic C. Lane’s theory of protection and tribute’, Review 5 no. 2 (1981, 247-273.
Clé Lesger, Handel in Amsterdam ten tijde van de Opstand. Kooplieden, commerciële expansie en verandering in de ruimtelijke economie van de Nederlanden ca. 1550-ca. 1630 (Hilversum 2001) 9-137.
Peter Stabel, Bruno Blondé, Anke Greve eds., International trade in the Low Countries (14th-16th centuries): merchants, organisation, infrastructure: proceedings of the international conference Ghent-Antwerp, 12th-13th January 1997 (Leuven 2000) 45-104; 243-253.
Further reading requirements will be announced during the course.
Examination
Oral presentation and paper.
Information
With the tutors: dr. R.P.Fagel and dr. L.H.J. Sicking
Enrolment
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