The Organization and Effects of Flemish Privateering in the Seventeenth Century*

The large-scale development of Flemish privateering was born out of the political situation in which Spain found herself at the end of the sixteenth and in the seventeenth century. Within the naval forces of the southern Netherlands the difference between the regular navy and privateers fitted out by private ship-owners was reflected in the structure of the organization ashore. In author’s opinion the effects of privateering were felt principally at an economic level. Privateering had adverse side-effects, especially for the Antwerp merchant community, which used Dutch carriers on the trade routes to Italy, Portugal and France. The defence of the United Provinces against these incessant raids took the form of a blockade of the Flemish ports. At the beginning of the Twelve Years' Truce both the council in Brussels and the two dependent seats were dissolved. But with the resumption of hostilities in 1621 it was found necessary to strengthen the navy.