laws of wisbuy

LAWS OF WISBUY, maritime law. A code of sea laws established by "the 
merchants and masters of the magnificent city of Wisbuy." This city was the 
ancient capital of Gothland, an island in the Baltic sea, anciently much 
celebrated for its commerce and wealth, now an obscure and inconsiderable 
place. Malyne, in his collection of sea laws, p. 44, says that the laws of 
Oleron were translated into Dutch by the people of Wisbuy for the use of the 
Dutch coast. By Dutch probably means German, and it cannot be denied that 
many of the provisions contained in the Laws of Wisbuy, are precisely the 
same as those which are found in the Laws of Oleron. The northern writers 
pretend however that they are more ancient than the Laws of Oleron, or than 
even the Consolato del Mare. Clairac treats this notion with contempt, and 
declares that at the time of the promulgation of the laws of Oleron, in 
1266, which was many years after they were compiled, the magnificent city of 
Wisbuy had not yet acquired the denomination of a town. Be this as it may, 
these laws were for some ages, and indeed still remain, in great authority 
in the northern part of Europe. "Lex Rhodia navalis," says Grotius, "pro 
jure gentium, in illo mare Mediteraneo vigebat; sicut apud Gallium leges 
Oleronis, et apud omnes transrhenanos, leges Wisbuenses." Grotius de Jure 
bel. lib. 2, c. 3. 
     A translation of these laws is to be found in 1 Pet. Adm. Dec. 
Appendix. See Code; Laws of Oleron.