Court, Credit, and Capital

Maurits den Hollander is Assistant Professor of Legal History at Tilburg University. He specializes in legal and institutional developments across the late medieval and early modern eras. This is his first book.

• Acknowledgements; Introduction; Part I. Context: 1. Citizens and institutions; 2. Morality and insolvency legislation; Part II. Procedure and Staff: 3. Procedure; 4. Staff; Part III. Insolvents: 5. The accord; 6. Cessie van Goede; Appendix 1 – Databases Accords; Bibliography.

'Amsterdam's 'golden age' has long fascinated economic historians. They have undertaken close studies of its unique organizations, e.g., the Wisselbank and the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie, in an attempt to explain the tremendous growth and vitality of the city and its surrounding region. Maurits den Hollander's important study of Amsterdam's Desolate Boedelskamer makes a significant contribution to this literature. By documenting how a specialized legal organization could alter the resolution of insolvency cases, promoting composition rather than dissolution and therewith engendering trust rather than conflict, it raises profound questions about the function of economic institutions. This book should be required reading for scholars in the field.' Thomas Max Safley, Professor Emeritus of History, University of Pennsylvania