Issue 4 (89)
| HERRING IS THE STAFF OF LIFE: REGULATION OF FISHERY AND FISH TRADE IN FLANDERS (LATE 14TH — EARLY 15TH CENTURIES) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2025 | Number | 4 (89) |
| Pages | 86-93 | Type | scientific article |
| UDC | 94(492+493)“13/14” | BBK | 63.3(4Íèä+4Áåë) |
| Authors | Mayzlish Anna A. |
Topic | NORTH SEA FISH IN THE MIDDLE AGES AND MODERN TIMES |
| Summary | The article deals with a number of decrees of the Dukes of Burgundy Philip the Bold and John the Fearless concerning fishing and fish trade in Flanders. Sea fish played a considerable role in the diet of the inhabitants of this densely populated county. First of all its supplies were important to the population of large cities, such as Bruges. The sources of the late 14th — early 15th centuries show a trend to introduce regulations regarding the fish trade (Kortrijk), primarily wholesale, and the attempts of local authorities to prohibit the extortion of “gifts” from fishermen for access to the market (Kortrijk, Sluis). The regulations were used to control the quality of products that was the duty of special officials, and to obtain the opportunity to impose taxes on the fish trade. Several cities and towns were granted staple rights (Biervliet, Sluis), over which they could fight with each other, as in the case of Antwerp and Mechelen. By the late 14th century a new method of salting herring spread in Flanders. At that time herring began to be delivered to the county from the North Sea. It was gutted immediately after being caught and salted in barrels on ships, which allowed it to be stored for longer. The ducal ordinances also reflect the concern of the authorities about the declining number of sea fish. They tried to solve this problem using the ban of a certain type of net, which caused the fry to die. | ||
| Keywords | Flanders, fish, herring, diet, fisheries, fish trade, staple rights, Bruges, Sluis, Biervliet, Philip the Bold, John the Fearless | ||
| References |
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