Book of the Consulate of the Sea facts for kids
Book of the Consulate of the Sea
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| Author | Unknown |
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| Original title | Book of the Consulate of the Sea |
| Language | Catalan |
| Genre | Compendium of laws |
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Publication date
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1320-1330 |
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Published in English
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N/A |
| Media type | Paper and parchment |
The Book of the Consulate of the Sea is a very old and important book of rules for trading by sea. It was written around the 15th century and became a guide for ships and merchants across the Mediterranean Sea. This book, which came from Catalonia (a region in Spain), was so useful that it was translated into many languages. It even helped create some of the international rules we use today for shipping and trade.
This book was like a manual for sailors and traders. It explained the common practices and traditions of sea travel and business. People consider it a great primary source because it tells us a lot about the laws and customs of Europe during that time. The very first printed version of the book was in the Catalan language. It was printed in Barcelona in 1484 and then again ten years later. Later, it was translated into many other languages, including Italian, English, French, German, Dutch, and Spanish.
Where Did the Book of the Sea Come From?
Historians like Chiner and Chacon have studied the origins of this important book. They found that earlier rules, like the "Ordinances of the Ribera" from 1258, didn't fully cover all the sea customs of Barcelona. The first mention of "Sea Consuls" (officials who settled sea disputes) in Barcelona was in 1282. This was just a year before a special "Consulate of the Sea" was set up in Valencia.
The Consuls in Barcelona didn't have as much independence as those mentioned later in the Book of the Consulate of the Sea. Many of the customs in the book came from Barcelona. However, many others were developed and made official in Valencia. These rules were then copied by other Consulates that were created later. According to Arcadi Garcia Sanz, a key difference was that the Valencia Consulate had "royal jurisdiction" from the start. This means it had direct power from the king, which made it very influential for other Consulates in the 15th century.
See Also
Images for kids
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1914 edition of the Book of the Consulate of the Sea, edited by Ernest Moliné and Brases.
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A page from the Book of the Consulate of the Sea
Learn More
In Spanish: Libro del Consulado del Mar para niños
