Antwerp

   The (now Belgian) city of Antwerp was endowed with autonomy by the Duke of Brabant in the 12th century. Because of its advantageous location on the river Scheldt, the town was already an important center of trade and commercial activities in the Middle Ages. During the 16th century, Antwerp was the main center of finance and commerce in western Europe, where merchants from several countries such as England, Spain, and Portugal had branches and storehouses. During the Revolt of the Netherlands against their sovereign, King Philip II, Antwerp became rebellious, but the city remained part of the Spanish Southern Netherlands because it was reconquered by Alexander Farnese, Prince (later Duke) of Parma (1545–1592). After 1585, when the Republic of the Seven United Provinces maintained an effective blockade of the Scheldt, Antwerp fell into decline and its prominent position was assumed by Amsterdam.