Paper short abstract:

In order to trade, late medieval merchant needed to create a protected space, based on trust, and build a network of reliable agents and partners. Thanks to the case of Renaissance Venetian merchants, the paper will explain how networks were created and trust built and maintained.

Paper long abstract:

How merchants in the late Middle Age overcame cultural and geo-political boundaries? Were they able to create tools and spaces in order to protect their trades? Merchants weren't usually willing to loose their cultural and social identity, even if this happened in some cases. Despite the need of integration in the local markets, indeed, the specialisation of traders and the importance of their origin (as representation of certain standards and values) pushed them to elaborate tools and spaces that allowed them to, relatively, safely exchange good and capitals in different cultural and geopolitical markets. The tools used were specific forms of accountability, merchants letters and financial instruments. These were necessary to "communicate" with partners and agent at the same "level" and create network of reliable people in order to carry out exchanges. However, these tools were also necessary for the creation of trust, together with the knowledge of a person reputation. Trust created a safe new place, that went beyond borders and allowed the exchange good and, most important, information to carry out their business.

In order to prove the existence of this "space of trust" I will use the case of Venetian merchants in the Renaissance. Thanks to the use of different sources, as letters, trials and accountability I will show up to which point traders were willing to extend their network and include new actors into their trust space. Moreover, I will explain how this trust was created (thanks to familiar bonds or personal acquaintance) and maintained.