When The Increased Industry Of The
North Of Europe Induced And Enabled Its Inhabitants To Exchange The Produce
Of Their Soil, Fisheries, And Manufactures, For The Produce Of The South Of
Europe, And Of India, Bruges Was Made The Great Entrepot Of The Trade Of
Europe.
In the beginning of the sixteenth century its commercial importance
began to decline, but the trade which left it,
Did not pass beyond the
limits of the Netherlands; it settled in a great measure at Antwerp, which,
as being accessible by sea, was more convenient for commerce than Bruges.
This city, however, would not have fallen so easily or rapidly before its
rival, had it not been distracted by civil commotions. From it the commerce
of the Netherlands, and with it of the north of Europe, and the interchange
of its commodities with those of the south of Europe and of Asia, gradually
passed to Antwerp; and about the year 1516, most of the trade of Bruges was
fixed here, the Portuguese making it their entrepot for the supply of the
northern kingdoms.
Even before this time the ships of the Netherlands seem to have been the
carriers of the north of Europe; for in 1503, two Zealand ships arrived at
Campveer, laden with sugars, the produce of the Canary Islands. Antwerp,
however, continued till it was taken by the Spaniards, and its port
destroyed by the blocking up of the Scheldt, to be most distinguished for
its commerce, and its consequent wealth: - its situation, its easy access by
sea, joined to the circumstance of its being made the Portuguese entrepot
for spices, drugs, and other rich productions of India, mainly contributed
to its commerce.
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