Bruges, Cradle of Capitalism, 1280–1390

This book examines the factors which contributed to Bruges' success as a commercial centre.

James M. Murray (Author)

9780521120531, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 25 September 2009

424 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm, 0.62 kg

Review of the hardback: '… this book presents many new perspectives and a completely different picture of Bruges in the 14th Century than has ever been shown before …' Hansische Geschichtsblätter

Teeming with merchants from all over Europe, medieval Bruges provides an early model of a great capitalist city. Bruges established a sophisticated money market and an elaborate network of agents and brokers. Moreover, it promoted co-operation between merchants of various nations. In this book James Murray explores how Bruges became the commercial capital of northern Europe in the late fourteenth century. He argues that a combination of fortuitous changes such as the shift to sea-borne commerce and the extraordinary efforts of the city's population served to shape a great commercial centre. Areas explored include the political history of Bruges, its position as a node and network, the wool, cloth and gold trade and the role of women in the market. This book serves not only as a case-study in medieval economic history, but also as a social and cultural history of medieval Bruges.

1. Political background
2. Navigating a commercial city
3. The measure of humanity
4. Money and its discontents
5. La bourse et la vie
6. Bruges as a node and network
7. Wool, cloth and gold
8. Women in the market and the market in women
9. Towards a Burgundian Bruges
Select bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Economic history [KCZ], Domestic trade [KCCD], Economics [KC], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]