Trade between Scotland and the Low Countries in the later Middle Ages
This thesis aims to provide the first in depth study of the nature, extent and influence of Scottish trade links with the medieval counties of Flanders, Artois, Holland and Zealand and the duchy of Brabant. Previous studies concentrated almost entirely on institutional aspects and made little use of statistical data. Nor was attention paid to wider social and political implications. The thesis traces the development of trade links from their historical beginnings in the twelfth century until the year 1513, concentrating particularly on the more detailed evidence available in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. It establishes that medieval Scotland was transformed by the growing demand in Flanders and Artois for wool, and that it was upon the wool trade with this area that Scottish mercantile institutions were founded and Scotland's cash economy was based. The thesis discusses the changing organisation, compositionand direction of Scottish trade over this period, commercial practices, costs and modes of transport. A close link is established between Scotland's foreign policies at this period and Scottish economic interests. It is shown that the Auld Alliance with France stemmed directly from Flanders' states
Stevenson, Alexander William Kerr
Scotland
Trade between Scotland and the Low Countries in the later Middle Ages. This thesis aims to provide the first in depth study of the nature, extent and influence of Scottish trade links with the medieval counties of Flanders, Artois, Holland and Zealand and the duchy of Brabant. Previous studies concentrated almost entirely on institutional aspects and made little use of statistical data. Nor was attention paid to wider social and political implications. The thesis traces the development of trade links from their historical beginnings in the twelfth century until the year 1513, concentrating particularly on the more detailed evidence available in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. It establishes that medieval Scotland was transformed by the growing demand in Flanders and Artois for wool, and that it was upon the wool trade with this area that Scottish mercantile institutions were founded and Scotland's cash economy was based. The thesis discusses the changing organisation, compositionand direction of Scottish trade over this period, commercial practices, costs and modes of transport. A close link is established between Scotland's foreign policies at this period and Scottish economic interests. It is shown that the Auld Alliance with France stemmed directly from Flanders' states
trade scotland low_countries later middle_ages aim_provide first depth_study nature_extent influence_scottish trade link medieval county flanders duchy previous_study concentrate almost_entirely institutional aspect make little use_statistical data attention_pay wider_social political_implication trace_development trade link historical beginning concentrate particularly detailed evidence_available establishes medieval_scotland transform grow_demand flanders wool upon wool trade area scottish mercantile institution found scotland cash economy base discus change organisation direction scottish trade period commercial practice cost modes transport close_link establish scotland foreign_policy period scottish economic interest show alliance france stem directly flanders state