Page 14 - Latent Defect or Excessive Price?Exploring Early Modern Legal Approach to Remedying Defects in Goods Exchanged for Money - Bruijn
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Acknowledgements
Many people have helped me generously in carrying out the research for this book and in writing it. To begin with, I thank my promotores Prof. Jan Hallebeek and Prof. Boudewijn Sirks for meticulously reading and re-reading my manuscripts and for their warmth and kindness in coaching me on legal history's intriguing but at times difficult path.
Of my colleagues at the VU I am especially indebted to Harry, Hylkje, Anna, Loc, and Frances. It was a pleasure to work with Harry and Hylkje as colleagues for legal history. Anna and Loc proved that colleagues can indeed become dear friends. Frances corrected my English. Needless to say, any mistakes still remaining in this book are my own.
My thanks are also to the members of the Assessment Committee who provided me with useful comments on the Ph.D.-manuscript. In particular, Prof. dr. Wim Decock and Prof. dr. Tammo Wallinga gave valuable tips which the finalization of a book needs. Furthermore, Prof. Wallinga was so kind to give me a helping hand in organising my research stay in Spain by introducing his professional acquaintances in Madrid and Valladolid to my plans.
In Spain, I have been generously assisted by the dedicated staff of the Archivo de la Real Chancillería in Valladolid and the colleagues from the university of Valladolid and the Complutense in Madrid. Of those who took me under their wings I would particularly like to mention dear José Maria Coma Fort. He proved not only to be a competent and helpful colleague, but also a wonderful person and friend. I deeply regret that an untimely death cut short his personal and professional ambitions.
This scientific project could never have been finished without the necessary academic support. However, no less important were the warmth and relaxing distraction which family and friends have always been so kind to offer. Bart magically with the snap of a finger never failed to turn a despairing countenance into a relieved laugh. Martijn, Gaelle, Loes, Nuria and Rafael with their joyous family life again and again taught me to put things in perspective. The cycling tours with Erik let me concentrate on just one thing: 'How to survive the day?', which proved an excellent means of momentarily forgetting that such a thing as a Ph.D., waiting for the final touch, existed. Wieger and Femke always warmly welcomed me in my 'home town', beautiful Groningen. Frans and Martine encouragingly shared their own experiences as Ph.D.-Candidates. Ana showed me around in Madrid, which role I gladly fulfilled in Amersfoort were I much enjoyed the time with my Austrian friend Christoph. Since 2011, five roommates and a varying number of cats made life considerably easier and pleasant, as did the members of badmintonclub VOG, not in the least during 'de derde helft' at the bar. My sincere thanks to all.
How much I owe to Lies is difficult to express in words. She taught me life's meaning to its fullest extent. Her help and support in the final stage of this project provided the energy needed for the laborious task of preparing a manuscript for printing.
Last but first, I thank my dear parents who are the conditio sine qua non for all my endeavours on this planet.
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