AbstractsHistory

In this thesis there is researched to what extent the period defined as Breda’s Golden Era (the first half of the 16th century) is visible in the development of cesspits and import ceramics. Three research questions form the focus point of this thesis. First there is investigated to what extent the demographic development of Breda coincides with the economic development of the city. Second there is researched to what extent the economic and demographic development of Breda is reflected in the development of cesspits. And last there is investigated to what extent the economic and demographic development of Breda are reflected in the development of import ceramics. The economic development seems to coincide with the demographic development. Four phases are distinguished based on these developments in order to set a base to which the archaeological data will be compared. Phase 1 (1100-1404) includes the start and steady growth of Breda. Phase 2 (1404-1504) includes a stronger economic growth of the city. Phase 3 (1504-1566) marks the period referred to as the Golden Era of the city and phase 4 (1566-1648) marks the decline of Breda. The first working hypothesis, the recognition of Breda’s Golden Era in the development in number of cesspits, is more or less confirmed as the development in number of cesspits coincides for a large part with the development in density of population. The density of population regarding the number of civilians seems to coincide better with the development of cesspits than the density of population including both civilians and militaries, which resided in the city during the Eighty Year’s War (1568-1648). The second working hypothesis, the recognition of Breda’s Golden Era in the development in import ceramics, is also confirmed as the peak in total number of import ceramics coincides with Breda’s Golden Era and the low in total number of import ceramics with the decline of the city during the Eighty Year’s War (1568-1648). Advisors/Committee Members: Oosten, R.M.R. van (advisor).