Juridical and Social Position of the Foreign Bankers in Piran (14th and 15th century)

Abstract

The author treats the problem of juridical and social relationships between the foreign bankers (mostly Florentines till the middle of the 14th c. and Jews from about 1390 forwards) and the local population. The main conclusion should be that the bankers had an autonomous and even elevated position which was guaranteed by contracts. The Jews enjoyed also a vast religious autonomy, although there were some restrictions put on them.