Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/y54jofk7jm
Bar merchants in Dubrovnik from 1358 until 1405
Marijan Premović
orcid.org/0000-0001-6698-9462
; University of Montenegro Faculty of Philosophy Nikšić, Montenegro
Abstract
Following the Zadar Peace Treaty in 1358, Dubrovnik entered a period of intensive development, became very stable, and provided a stimulating business environment for the arrival of merchants from the hinterland. Ties between the City and Bar had been strengthening since 1361 when Bar recognised the Zeta lords of the Balšić dynasty. In 1361, the Balšić noble family became citizens of Dubrovnik and political allies. That resulted in maximum trading stability and confidence in the citizens of Bar. The paper presents the period from the departure of the Venetians from the eastern Adriatic coast from 1358 to 1405 and their return to the South Adriatic, and the conquest of the commune of Bar. From the archival series of Debita Notariae, Diversa Cancellariae and DiversaNotariae in the State Archives in Dubrovnik, we collected numerous scattered information on the micro-history of credit trade of Bar residents in Dubrovnik in the said period. The sources show increased interest of Bar residents in the credit affairs in the City. The credit aspect of the business enables an overview of the consumer power of Bar residents and their involvement in the Dubrovnik trade. Merchants from Bar who came to Dubrovnik borrowed from the nobility and commoners of Dubrovnik. The loan was usually granted for three months. The debtors were given the loan based on the guarantor and the procurator guarantees. They also received loans based on pledges. In all contracts, the interest rate was 20%. We identified, presented, and analysed 171 debt agreements of Bar residents and 27 credit agreements made of creditors selling and reselling. The loans of Bar residents from the City can be followed through two distinct periods. The first period from 1358 to 1369 shows the upward trend in Bar residents’ credit activity. In the second period, from 1380 to 1405, the intensity and value of the credit trade were on the decline. Bar residents were reselling the merchandise. The Bar Commune was rich in olives and produced large quantities of oil. For that reason, merchants focused on the exports of oil to the City, which guaranteed success and profit. In addition to oil, they exported grains from the Albanian coast, as well as stone. Silver was traded, as well. The merchandise most frequently taken on loan from the City were fabrics and salt. We believe that most of the credit indebtedness in merchandise was hidden behind these products. Furthermore, construction material and wine were imported to Bar. In order to make business more successful, the Bar residents formed trading partnership trading companies known as collegantia. Trade in Dubrovnik attracted all population categories that engaged in commerce, regardless of their core profession. The participation of the traders’ group of Bar in the economic history of the City of St. Blaise, though modest, was continuous. Bar residents were granted trade loans on the basis of trust and success, while the material gain for the City and its residents encouraged Dubrovnik to support them.
Keywords
Bar; Dubrovnik; credit trade; trade products; trade companies; 14th century
Hrčak ID:
268018
URI
Publication date:
23.12.2021.
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