Philip Burlamachi

Who was Philip Burlamachi?

Philip Burlamachi was a major financial intermediary of King Charles I of England. His family was of Italian origin, exiled descendants of the Lucchese Francesco Burlamacchi. He is known to have been in England for at least 30 years where he became naturalized by an Act of Parliament.

He worked extensively with his brother in law Philip Calandrini who was his agent in Amsterdam. At around about this time in 1621 he also acts on behalf of the City of London Merchants in regards collecting money from foreign merchants which is to be given to the Privy Council for 'Whereas you have undertaken the collecting of such moneys as were thought reasonable and meet for the merchants strangers residing within the City of London and the outports, to contribute towards the expedition against pirates.' He was entrusted on behalf of the Privy Council with bills of exchange for the service of an army for the States of the United Provinces or 'direct the employment them as he shall think'. One thing that is certain and clear is the importance of Philip Burlamachi in regards money and finance and his idea although he himself does concede "the proposal has been formerly made."