|
|
The Trade Contacts of Prague Burghers at the Turn of the 14th and 15th Century
Musílek, Martin
The presented text explores the trade contacts between Prague and Bern, and other cities of the Swiss confederation. Precious metal was chiefly exported from the Czech Lands to the Swiss cantons and Swabia, whether in the form of minted silver coins or raw precious metal. Trade was mediated through Nuremberg merchants. The concrete case of several Prague burghers-merchants exemplifies their status in the city, their financial backgrounds, and the mercantile and monetary contacts that were often linked up with foreign commerce houses, the ruling court milieu or the credit possibilities of the Prague Jews. Although during the Hussite Wars (1419–1434), trade with the heretical Bohemia was restricted, the Imperial and Papal trade embargo was frequently bypassed. In the course of the Hussite Wars, a new wave of exportation of Bohemian art objects abroad took place in connection with the emigration of Catholics, where these objects were either sold or deposited by the refugees “for better times”. Thus, the exportation of Bohemian art abroad did not cease even during the Hussite Wars.
|
guest ::
