Jan-Maat’s Reviews > Vreemde Ogen - Een kijk op de Zuidelijke Nederlanden > Status Update

One of the Spanish gentlemen travelling with the future Phillip II of Spain noticed that crates of oranges were cheaper in Brussels than in Valladolid.

Spanish travellers in the 16th century low countries found the sight of women reading remarkable. Which tells us something about Spain at that time.

Travellers to the low countries agreed that the inhabitants were taller, stronger, & more attractive than people in other countries. Examination of skeletal remains confirms at least that they were tall and well built. Helpfully Jean Bodin in his book of the Republic is on hand to explain - people in northern countries, he wrote, eat more.

Over 1317-1318 the weavers of Ypres wove more than 2 million ells of cloth - about a million metres more of less

A borse was built in Antwerp from 1485, The later London Royal Exchange used the same design. Italian was the most important commercial language while the traders in the borse grouped themselves by language/national group in set positions ; the French to the left of the main entrance, Italians, Spanish, & Portuguese to the right. Beyond them the Germans, burgundians and Baltic traders.

Origins of the word/concept of Borse in the trading done in the square in front of the house of the van dat Beurze family in 15th century Bruges.