BARTHOLOMEUS WELSER  

Born in Augsburg sometime around 1475, Bartholomeus Welser lived until 1559.  During his early days, he was in charge of a banking firm called Welser Brothers, claiming descent from the Byzantine general named Beliasarius.  Welser was a rich name.  With the finances to support him, he created an amazing empire.  Eventually, Welser was made privy councilor to the emperor, loaning him great sums of money for repayment granted in 1527 when the province of Venezuela was discovered.

Welser went on to conquer the country using his own money.  To accomplish this, he had enlisted just Flemish and Spanish troops.  Together, they headed out with four vessels over the course of two expeditions to build two cities and three forts, all within a two-year period.  Soon, word went out that there was gold.  With this, Welser received permission to send out 150 German miners.

According to the contract Welser had, he took a fleet, sailing from San Lucar de Barrameda in 1528 while under Ambrosio Alfinger’s command.  Soon, Alfinger was appointed as captain general.  However, when he died in 1531, the new captain general would become Georg Von Speier.  Soon, a new expedition was organized, setting sail in 1534.  In 1540, Speier also dies.  At this time, Spain’s crown was claimed to appoint the governor.  Then in 1546, Charles V. revoked Welser’s charter.

Working hard, Welser tried to re-establish his trade between Germany, South America, and the Low Countries.  Doing such as great job, he was commended by a number of famous writers.  In fact, Welser is eulogized by Henry Ternaux-Compans in his wonderful collection of writings.  However, as far as interest of bankers, these writings hurt Welser who lost in colonization schemes, actually being estimated around three million florins. 

Today, the Welser’s banking house still stands along with the Welser family mansion.  In fact, the mansion remains a common place of intrigue and interest for locals and visitors to the city of Augsburg.