Sevilla, puerto y puerta de Europa: The Activity of a Flemish Commercial Company in Seville during the Second Half of the Sixteenth Century

Abstract

This paper deals with the commercial activity of a Flemish company in Seville from 1577 to 1582, focusing on its exportations, importations, and bill of exchanges. The analyses of the business of this firm, which was based on Antwerp and Bruges, will shed light on two main issues: on the one hand, the role of the foreign agents and communities in a changing city such as Seville during the 16th century, and on the other, the increase of the mercantile and financial contacts between the Andalusian city and other European markets, as a consequence of the development of la Carrera de Indias.

Keywords

• compañías mercantiles
• mercaderes extranjeros
• comercio
• flandes
• sevilla