thanks for that info-
I wonder if the Turks (of the Ottoman or Karaman, Black or White Sheep varieties) conquer Mameluke Egypt by about 1450 or so, if they'd have a less monopoly-oriented trade regime in place of the Mamelukes. I think the Ottomans were known as low-tax, low-tariff types. If the non-monopoly system is pretty much in place from 1450 onward, I wonder how much, if at all, it would slow Iberian explorers.
Me too. I think it would probably still be tempting to get around the middlemen if possible - who wants to pay them anything?
Also, were the Iberian states a bigger per capita market for pepper than more northern Atlantic states like France, England or the Low Countries.
Not a clue.
The decree of 1429 would have affected all the Europeans, not just Iberians.
Which also brings up the other question - Did Muslim merchants from the Maghreb, west of the Mamelukes, have to buy only from the Sultan, just like Christian merchants from Europe?
But not all Europeans were in a position to launch such voyages at the time we're talking about - the Portuguese were not bogged down dealing with the HYW and aftermath like England and France, and Columbus had to wait until the Two Catholic Monarchs weren't fighting Granada.
It doesn't say specifically, but if the Sultan could sell dear because he was the only seller (with no Egyptian merchant having dared outbid him in the first place), it doesn't sound like they'd have much of a choice.