English Financiers of the Middle of the XIV Century: Features and Results of Activity

Abstract

The article examines the features of the country’s economic and political development in the second third of the XIV century through the prism of analyzing the activities of famous representatives of the commercial and financial stratum of England. The results of the study of documentary, narrative sources, as well as modern scientific literature are presented. It is noted that the process of capital accumulation by English merchants accelerated in the conditions of the Hundred Years War. The features of the development of trade, credit, customs service are indicated. The relationship of the royal financiers with the parliament and the broad commercial stratum is analyzed. The participation of influential merchants in the financing of military campaigns conducted by Edward III in continental Europe is considered. Particular attention is paid to W. de la Paul and J. Poutney, who were the leaders of the merchant class. The reasons for the bankruptcy of taxation companies in the second half of the 1340s are investigated. The lawsuits against W. de la Paul, J. Poutney, W. Chiriton and T. Swenland are touched upon. It is shown that the bankruptcies and arrests of royal usurers were caused by the complexity of the implementation of government tasks. It is concluded that the economic and political successes of England were achieved largely thanks to the wealthy merchants.

Keywords

• w. de la paul
• england
• edward iii
• hundred years war
• trade
• credit