Compagnie van De Moucheron facts for kids
The Compagnie van De Moucheron was an early Dutch trading company. It was a step before the much bigger Verenigde Oost Indische Compagnie (VOC), also known as the "Dutch East India Company." This company was started by Balthazar de Moucheron. He was a ship owner from Antwerp in the Southern Netherlands. After Antwerp was captured, he moved his business to Zeeland. The Compagnie van De Moucheron had three ships: 'Ram', 'Schaap' (Sheep), and 'Lam' (Lamb). Joris van Spilbergen led their fleet. They left on May 5, 1601, and came back to the Dutch Republic in 1604.
What Was a "Voorcompagnie"?
A voorcompagnie was a Dutch company that traded with Asia. These companies existed between 1594 and 1602. They were formed before many smaller companies joined together. This big merger created the famous Dutch East India Company (VOC).
Rich merchants from the Northern Netherlands helped pay for these early companies. Immigrants from the Southern Netherlands also invested. There was a lot of competition between these small trading groups. This competition was very tough and sometimes harmful. So, the government made them unite. They formed the (United) East India Company. This new, larger company then got special rights. It was the only company allowed to trade with Asia for the next 21 years.
The Company of De Moucheron's Story
Balthazar De Moucheron started this trading company. Many of his old business partners had left him. They joined another group called the United Company of Zeeland. So, Balthazar decided to create his own company.
In 1601, he sent Joris van Spilbergen on an important trip. Spilbergen had three ships: Ram, Schaap, and Lam. Their goal was to start trade with the Kingdom of Kandy. This kingdom was in what is now Sri Lanka. They also hoped to reach Atjeh.
In 1602, Van Spilbergen met the king of Kandy, Vimala Dharma Suriya. They talked about trading for cinnamon. When Van Spilbergen returned to Zeeland in 1604, he brought back many valuable gems. These included rubies, sapphires, and topazes. The king of Kandy had given them to him as a gift. However, by the time he got back, the independent companies had already joined. They had formed the powerful Dutch East India Company.
