Commercial law and ius commune in sixteenth century Low Countries

On 3 April, at the  Centre for Legal History of Edinburgh University, Prof. Dave De ruysscher of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) gave a lecture on ‘Voluntary Bankruptcy in the sixteenth century Low Countries: Municipal Law, Doctrine and Economic Policy’.  Looking at the significant differences from city to city and their legal development, De ruysscher highlighted the complex relationship between bankruptcy, economy and society. From his captivating account, an underlying question became clear: to what extent should we still rely on pan-European ius commune narratives?