ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book aims to get a better understanding of the ways in which obstacles to this extension and intensification of maritime commercial networks could be overcome. It aims to explore the relations between the maritime networks' economic role, their handling of intercultural contacts, and their institutional arrangements in the ports. The book also aims at a deeper understanding of the linkages between maritime trade networks around Europe, from the Black Sea to the Gulf of Finland. The central question is how shippers and merchants succeeded in the period from 1300 to 1600 at connecting regional and interregional trade circuits around Europe and beyond. The shippers needed to gain insight into the geographical and nautical conditions of the distant regions, while the travelling merchants needed to obtain information about the markets at greater distances and be able to negotiate with foreigners.
