Territory and the Enforcement of Dordrecht’s Staple Rights (15-16th Century)

Description

In the late Middle Ages, Dordrecht emerged as the principal city in Holland for river trade, particularly in the wine commerce along the Rhine. Substantial legal historical research has investigated the development of the city’s staple rights (established as of 1299) and their relationship to the comital toll rights. The rules regarding these rights often appear as a very complex system. However, to the modern reader their enforcement seems even more complicated. Unfortunately, the enforcement techniques of the regulated staple trade are barely examined. Which institutions and officials were responsible for the enforcement of Dordrecht’s staple rights, and what were their operational methods?

This question is closely related to the topic of extraterritoriality and the law. The rules concerning the staple rights were issued by the count of Holland in cooperation with the city of Dordrecht. Given the extensive geographical scope and various waterways involved in enforcing these rights, as well as the significant stakes at hand, this enforcement was characterized by complex forms of multilevel governance. It seems that several, both comital and urban, officials were involved. The bailiff of Dordrecht (but appointed by the count) was formally responsible for the enforcement of the rights. The city used patrol boats (uitleggers) and obliged followers (volgers) the control merchandise far away (e.g. near Rotterdam or Middelburg). On the other hand, the count of Holland had money changers and wine carriers (wijnschroders) at work in the city, both indispensable for the enforcement of the staple rights as well. The were not allowed to participate in the municipal governance until 1486.

This paper, therefore, aims to elucidate problems regarding the enforcement of Dordrecht’s staple rights, both within the city as well as far outside the city walls, by focusing on daily practices of relevant institutions and their officials.

Period	30 May 2025
Event title	Journées internationales de la Société d'Histoire du Droit des pays picards, flamands et wallons
Event type	Conference
Location	Tilburg, NetherlandsShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International