Economical and political consequences of the limiting of the statutory maximum interest rate in Central Europe from 10% to 6% since 1543

One of the economic changes incidental to the Reformation in Europe during the 16th century was to combat the usury and compulsory limiting of the statutory maximum interest rate by the law. In the Kingdom of Bohemia, the statutory maximum interest rate was reduced for the gentiles from 10% to 6% in 1543. The author discusses long-term economic and political consequences of this provision, especially in the field of credit market (Jewish credit included), state debt, value of the estates, and international money-market.