CORPORATE QUARRELS IN THE EUROPEAN TRADE FROM THE EASTERN CANTABRIAN SEA DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE 16TH CENTURY, ACCORDING TO A LAWSUIT IN 1547

Is it desirable that a single guild controls the main economic activity of a country? This is the question underlying the conflict on wool exports to Northern Europe between the guild of Burgos merchants and its rival, the guild of captains of boat and merchants of Bilbao between 1450 and 1550. To this question were forced to answer merchants and shippers of both sites when they appealed to the rulers. The question was also addressed to political authorities and monarchs, so that they legislated about it. Moreover, the question was made to witnesses in lawsuits held by both associations. Finally, the historiography must answer today to this question.