End of the Middle Ages
Saturday, 01 January 2000 15:02
Daan B
In 1585 Amsterdam's great competitor, the harbour city Antwerp, was conquered by the Spanish. Afterwards its link to the sea, the river Schelde, was blocked. As a consequence Amsterdam became the biggest port of the Netherlands. The fall of Antwerp also started a stream of refugees from Antwerp to the north. Many of the city's merchants and craftsmen found a home in Amsterdam.
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Revolutionairy ideas
Saturday, 01 January 2000 15:02
Daan B
The 16th century would be a very tumultuous time for the city. As a result of the trade freedom and the relationship with Baltic cities like Riga and Danzig, Amsterdam developed to one of the biggest grain markets of Europe during the 16th century, its harbour only overshadowed by that of Antwerp. The city grew in size, as the population grew from 9000 in 1500 to 100.000 in 1600.
Growth and influence
Saturday, 01 January 2000 15:01
Daan B
After 1400 Amsterdam and the other cities in Holland achieved a favourable trading position with the Baltic States and broke the monopoly of the Hanseatic League. After the Wendic trade war of 1438-1441 the cities of Holland acquired trade freedom in the Baltic from the Danish King. Especially Amsterdam profited from this and trade became its major source of income.
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Modest beginnings
Saturday, 01 January 2000 15:01
Daan B
In the year 1270 a dam was placed in the river Amstel. This turned a small village in the estuary of the Amstel in the river Y into Amsterdam, or Amstelledamme as it was called. The dam created a natural harbour and the village turned from mainly fishing, crafts and shipping to industry, transport and shipbuilding.
History of Amsterdam
Saturday, 01 January 2000 14:59
Daan B
In the tenth century the west of the Netherlands was little more than an underdeveloped region on the periphery of the Holy Roman Empire. The majority of the land was wild and uncultivated marshland, unfit for all but the hardiest kindred and kine. Only the occasional Gangrel seemed to be attracted to the solitude of this wasteland. The only cities of note in the area were Utrecht and Dorestad, as they were important religious and mercantile centres.
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