Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.21857/yk3jwhrxp9
Residents of Ulcinj in credit trade of Dubrovnik in the second half of 14th century
Marijan Premović
orcid.org/0000-0001-6698-9462
; Filozofski fakultet Univerziteta Crne Gore, Nikšić, Crna Gora
Sažetak
This paper provides an overview of the credit trade of residents of Ulcinj in Dubrovnik, in the second half of the 14th century. The research is based on an analysis of Debita notariae records from the State Archives in Dubrovnik. The files from Volumes No. 3 to No. 12, covering the period from 1352 to 1396 were used. To obtain a complete view of activities of Ulcinj traders, we consulted the series: Diversa Cancellariae (XVII–XXXIII) and Diversa Notariae (III–XI). The research of all three sets gave a complete view of the activities of Ulcinj entrepreneurs in the town. The paper is divided into twelve chapters: introduction; political developments in the South Adriatic and their effect on the credit trade; the impact of health conditions; credits; major merchant families; less known Ulcinj traders; merchant societies; trade goods; credit guarantees (guarantors, pledge, procurators); repayment deadlines; interest rates and conclusion. The economic development of Dubrovnik in the second half of the 14th century attracted a large number of merchants from the Ulcinj Commune. Back then, like today, merchants who did not have their own money were forced to take loans. To get the merchandise, they needed the money that they regularly borrowed in the town for a specified period. Loan contracts had an almost uniform recording format. A usual credit form included mostly the date, names of the debtors, with a special note about their Ulcinj residence, the creditors, the amount of the loan, the repayment period and the measures to secure repayment of the loan. Ulcinj merchants traded with the following articles: salt, grain, wax, wine, boats and fabrics. Development of merchants throughout the years can be observed best based on the total annual amount of loans taken from Dubrovnik merchants. The highest indebtedness of Ulcinj residents was in 1367 to the amount of around 4,401 ducats. In most cases, business in credit transactions was done in goods and less in money. Due to a more significant number of credits taken, we have succeeded in presenting the dominant merchant families of Ulcinj (Clime, Bube, Sevasto, Dabro) and merchants (don Marin Ivanov, Slavko Marin Slavi, Marin Dessi, Marin Nikolin, Stjepan Marinov, Marinče Karolli, Marin Dimitrijev, Brajko Milošević and Marco Tano). They all got individual business overviews they deserve. The documents record merchants who took loans once or twice. They were not successful traders since they do not appear in the sources again. Ulcinj residents made credit deals most frequently with the noble families of Dubrovnik such as Bona, Mençe, Goçe, Basilio, Benessa, Palmota, Baraba, Bocinolo, Resti etc. Their association in the town and business cooperation with the Dubrovnik nobility were on the lines of relatives, friends and acquaintances. The fundamental characteristics of Ulcinj residents during the loan taking in the town can be presented in three distinct periods. The first period from 1352 to 1369 was the period of active loan taking and the highest number of loan takers, usually to amounts ranging from 100 to 700 ducats. In the second period from1378 to 1382, the credit taking intensity was lower. Only eight loans were made, and the sum of loans ranged from 25 to 196 ducats. The third period from 1389 to 1396 was the period of more intensive loan taking by several prominent merchants to amounts ranging from 17 to 252 ducats. Their association in the city and business cooperation with the Dubrovnik nobility was along the lines of relatives, friends and acquaintances. The essential characteristics of Ulcinj residents when borrowing in the town can be followed through three different periods. The first period from 1352 to 1369 represents active borrowing and the most significant number of borrowers, mainly for the amounts from 100 to 700 ducats. In the second period from 1378 to 1382, borrowing subsided. Only eight credits were recorded, and the total of the credits ranged from 25 to 196 ducats. The third period from 1389 to 1396 shows an increase in borrowing by several prominent merchants totalling 17 to 252 ducats. Merchants started to merge and form associations to generate a profit and increase the capital. The most common form of association was that the wealthier merchant most often invested cash, while another member of the company did business and invested his work. Earnings or losses were divided in half. Traders who came to the city for the first time or were not well known were given credit based on guarantor guarantees, pledges and procurator guarantees. The maturity of the debt varied, ranging from one to six months. Of the monthly deadlines, the payment term of three months was most often determined. The citizens of Dubrovnik believed that this was sufficient time for the merchant to go to Zeta to sell the goods and return. The agreed penalty, if the loan was not repaid within the stipulated time frame, was often applied and it was included as an additional clause in the contract and amounted to 20%. The economic development of Dubrovnik in the second half of the 14th century attracted a large number of residents from the Ulcinj Commune. The financial needs of citizens of Ulcinj made them rely on the town, which is why they maintained intensive economic communication and thus contributed to the development of the Dubrovnik Commune. On the other hand, the presence of St Vlaho’s Town in the economic prosperity of the Ulcinj Commune was of extraordinary significance.
Ključne riječi
Ulcinj residents; Dubrovnik; credit trade; trade companies; 14th century
Hrčak ID:
230725
URI
Datum izdavanja:
20.12.2019.
Posjeta: 1.913 *