Bankers to the Crown: The Riccardi of Lucca and Edward I (1973)

You can also find this book on Amazon. Just click here. Format: Hardcover ISBN: 0691052042 Condition: Very Good There are small scuffs and tears along the top edge of the dust jacket. The book has a slight amount of shelf wear. Contents Description: Throughout the thirteenth century Western European monarchs were hampered by the failure of their traditional revenues to meet their new expenses. Edward I of England solved the primary problem of acquiring adequate funds with the imposition of a duty on wool and leather and by more frequent direct taxes. But collection was slow and irregular; there still remained the problem of liquidity. To ensure a steady flow of cash to meet his military, administrative, and diplomatic needs Edward developed a special relationship with a company of Italian merchant-bankers, the Societas Riccarorum de Luka. - from the inside flap