Profile of the mercantile Oligarchy in the mid-range Jewish Communities in the Kingdom of Aragon: the Avincacez family from Barbastro (Huesca) in the 14th and 15th Centuries

Abstract

Prior to its extinction due to the Disputation of Tortosa, the city of Barbastro had a Jewish community about three hundred inhabitants. Within that community, there was a large body of negotiators who dealt with the movement of capital, the clothing trade for domestic consumption, and the trade of equine cattle (donkeys, mules and nags) which was essential for the transport of goods. Their credit hinterland coincided with the area of influence of the annual fair. In that context, the Avincacez lineage constituted a paradigm of the ruling classes’ business mentality of the Jewish quarter. This lineage was represented by three members: Duran, Nicim and Haym who were specialists in the textile business (drapers).