The Ulster Port Books 1612-15
Description
The Early seventeenth-century port books for Londonderry, Coleraine, Carrickfergus and the Lecale ports are an underrated source which have been underutilised by historians of the early seventeenth century. As Robert Hunter himself highlighted, they can be used to establish the character of the merchant class of the emerging plantation towns and the incipient commercialisation which was one of the characteristics of plantation. They can also be used, as names are gradually identified, to indicate the hinterlands of the Ulster ports, for example, Strabane merchants trading through Derry.
The commodities exported illuminate the plantation economy; the enormous range of imports indicates that Ulster participated in the contemorary consumer society. The port books also provide fairly accurate information about the places of origin of the ships that traded with Ulster and indicate the size of local Ulster merchant fleets. This edition of Robert Hunter's transcription of the Ulster Port Books - furthers our knowledge and understanding of trade and society during this turbulent period of resettlement.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Editorial Notes
Glossary of Terms
Weights and Measures
Introduction
Chapters
- The Port Books of Londonderry
- The Port Books of Coleraine
- The Port Books of Carrickfergus
- The Port Books of the Lecale Ports
Index of People
Index of Ships
Map Section
- Continental European ports mentioned in the Ulster Port Books
- Londonderry: places mentioned in the Port Books
- Coleraine: places mentioned in the Port Books
- Carrickfergus: places mentioned in the Port Books
- Lecale: places mentioned in the Port Books