Verzameling "raeckt den handel"
Item
Country
NL
Name of institution (English)
FelixArchief (Antwerp city archives)
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
dut
Contact information: postal address
Oudeleeuwenrui 29, 2000 Antwerp
Contact information: phone number
0032 33389411
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
stadsarchief@antwerpen.be
Reference number
BE SA 174978
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
"Trade racks" collection
Title (official language of the state)
Verzameling "raeckt den handel"
Language of title
dut
Creator / accumulator
Stadssecretarissen
Date(s)
1315/1791
Language(s)
dut
Extent
29 storage units
Type of material
Textual Material
Scope and content
The Verzameling "raeckt den handel" series is included in the Handel en scheepvaart (Trade and shipping) subcollection. It contains documentation on trade agreements between communities or individuals that lived in Antwerp. Some of these agreements are also related to transactions of specific commodities. Given the importance of the New Christian merchant community in Antwerp, it is possible to find here evidence of their participation in commercial activities in Antwerp. It is the case, for instance, of a book containing information related to the Negro and the Spinola families, both New Christian families of Portuguese origin (1559-1561: N. de Negro en J. B. Spinola).
Archival history
In the 13th century, the city of Antwerp kept its documents in the Town Hall, in a chest about two meters long, named "privilegiekom". The chest had 13 locks, whose keys were distributed among the city officials, and it could only be opened with the 13 keys. The development of the city and the growing complexity of its administration resulted in an increase in the number of documents. Therefore, the "privilegiekom" became too small to store all records. Prior to the French Revolution, the various city institutions headquartered in the Town Hall had the responsibility of keeping their own documents. However, in 1796, a city archivist was appointed to preserve and manage the archives. The city archive remained in the Town Hall until the first half of the 20th century. After that, the archive was moved to several different locations. During World War II, the most valuable documents were secured in a castle near Rochefort. In 1953, the archive was temporarily accommodated at Meirbrug. At last, on December 15, 1956, a new place in Venusstraat was inaugurated, and the city archives remained there for about 50 years. In 2006, the archive moved to the Sint-Felixpakhuis. Since then, it has been called the FelixArchief.
Administrative / Biographical history
The Schepenbank (Court of the Aldermen) was a court usually composed of seven members appointed by the "heer" (lord), under the chairmanship of the "schout" (sheriff), "drossaard" (landdrost) or "meier" (mayor), as the lord's representative. In some cities, as Antwerp, there were "dubbelheerlijkheden" (double lordships), whereby the lordship was divided between two lords, who often jointly appointed the members of the Schepenbank.
The presence of all "schepenen" (aldermen) was only required when pronouncing sentences in criminal cases. For other court hearings, the presence of five or two "schepenen" was sufficient.
That was the case of the Vrijwillige Rechtspraak (Voluntary Justice), which only demanded the presence of two "schepenen". It dealt with matters such as the registration of transfers of ownership, interest transactions, inheritances, etc. The "schepenen" also acted as guardians of orphans, and of mentally disabled or incapacitated people, and acted as protectors of their heritage and interests. They were also responsible for collecting the "belasting" (tax). For this specific task, they were assisted by "bedezetters" (tax officials) and "burgemeesters" (burgomasters).
The presence of all "schepenen" (aldermen) was only required when pronouncing sentences in criminal cases. For other court hearings, the presence of five or two "schepenen" was sufficient.
That was the case of the Vrijwillige Rechtspraak (Voluntary Justice), which only demanded the presence of two "schepenen". It dealt with matters such as the registration of transfers of ownership, interest transactions, inheritances, etc. The "schepenen" also acted as guardians of orphans, and of mentally disabled or incapacitated people, and acted as protectors of their heritage and interests. They were also responsible for collecting the "belasting" (tax). For this specific task, they were assisted by "bedezetters" (tax officials) and "burgemeesters" (burgomasters).
Access points: locations
Access points: persons, families
Access points: corporate bodies
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The documentation is organised by communities, families, or commodities.
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Kevin Soares, 2022
Linked resources
Filter by property
| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| FelixArchief (Stadsarchief Antwerpen) | Collections (official language of the state) |