Anselm Adornes

Scion of a wealthy Adorno family from Genoa who emigrated to Bruges in the 13th century, Adornes has built a respectable career of a businessman and diplomat.

His family quickly became part of the Bruges aristocracy and played an important role in the administrative and economic life of the city. In its possession was the Adornes estate which consisted of a mansion, several almshouses and the Jerusalem Chapel.

Succeeding the family business, Anselmo was active as an international merchant dealing mainly with Genoa and Spain in commodities such as alum and cloth. After the Scottish parliament terminated commercial relations with Flanders, Scottish merchant were forced to leave Bruges, which inflicted a great harm to its economy. In 1468 Adornes visited the Scottish court on a diplomatic mission which aim was to reestablish commercial connections. The negotiations with James III of Scotland ended successfully, which had a positive impact on the social status of Adornes as well. In 1648 he was made a Knight of the Oder of the Unicorn and the king’s councilor. Adornes participated in other diplomatic missions in the service of the Duke of Burgundy in the 1460s and 1470s.

In 1470 Adornes undertake a pilgrimage voyage to the Holy Land and wrote an account upon his return which was dedicated to James III.

Adornes died in Scotland in 1483, then being governor of the castle of Linlithgow.