Carta Mercatoria facts for kids
The Carta Mercatoria was a special agreement made in 1303 in England. Its name means 'the charter of the merchants'. A charter is like an official document or a set of rules given by a king or government. This one was given by King Edward I to foreign merchants who wanted to trade in England.
In exchange for this charter, the foreign merchants agreed to pay a new tax on the goods they brought into England. In return, the Carta Mercatoria gave them several important rights. They were allowed to trade freely, meaning they could buy and sell things without too many restrictions. They also received protection under English law. This meant they would be treated fairly if there were any legal problems.
The charter also said they didn't have to pay certain small fees, called tolls, when they crossed bridges, used roads, or entered cities. Another important promise was that the taxes they already paid on their goods would not go up. Plus, the Carta Mercatoria gave foreign merchants the right to have a special kind of trial. If they were accused of something, their jury (the group of people who decide if someone is guilty) had to include at least some other foreigners. This helped ensure they got a fair hearing.
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Why the Carta Mercatoria Was Important
This charter was a big deal because it made it easier and safer for foreign merchants to do business in England. By attracting more traders, it helped England's economy grow. It also showed that the king wanted to encourage trade, even if it meant giving special rights to people from other countries.
What Happened Next?
The Carta Mercatoria didn't last forever in its original form.
When Was the Charter Changed?
Later, King Edward II, who was Edward I's son, decided to cancel the Carta Mercatoria. This happened because English merchants complained. They felt that the foreign merchants had too many advantages. However, even though the charter was officially cancelled, foreign merchants still managed to keep most of the rights they had gained.
How Did Edward III Change Things?
Years later, in 1334, King Edward III (Edward II's son) needed money. In exchange for financial help, he made a new agreement. Instead of a general charter for all foreign merchants, he gave a special charter to a powerful group called the Hanseatic League. This was a league or group of trading cities, mainly from Germany, that worked together to protect their trade interests. This new charter focused specifically on their trading rights.
