November 28, 2025Aschkenas

Proof on Paper? Undocumented Loans and the Use of Written Collateral in Jewish-Christian Credit Transactions in Fourteenth-Century German Towns

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Written collateral served as essential leverage in managing risk, enhancing financial security for creditors and borrowers alike.
Lenders in fourteenth-century German towns faced uncertainties, which led to strategic choices between documentation and other collateral forms.
Assessment of credit transactions highlights the dual function of written debt instruments in facilitating legal proof and negotiation.
The historical context reflects how individual moneylenders navigated relationships by employing diverse strategies in urban economies.

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This analysis reveals strategic choices in risk management and financial security in medieval urban economies using written collateral.

Aviya Doron (2025) studied this question.

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