Jacob Bassevi

Who was Jacob Bassevi?

Jacob Bassevi von Treuenberg was a Bohemian Court Jew and financier. He entered business early in life, ultimately became very wealthy, and stood in high favor with the emperors Rudolph II, Matthias, and Ferdinand II, to whom he frequently rendered financial assistance, particularly to Ferdinand, who needed large sums of money for the prosecution of the Thirty Years' War.

Bassevi, in recognition of his services, was raised to the nobility by Ferdinand, receiving the title von Treuenberg, and a coat of arms consisting of a two yellow Bohemian lions and 3 eight-pointed red stars in a bend argent on a field of black. Ferdinand also bestowed upon him the right "to engage in any business whatever, in any part of the empire, whether cities, towns, or market-places, in Prague and Vienna, and other places where Jews are allowed to reside or are not; to acquire property and to reside anywhere he pleases. His property in any form to be free from taxes, imposts, and duties; he is allowed to reside in the imperial quarters; and he is responsible to no tribunal, except that of the marshal of the court". Privileges were also granted to him by Rudolph and Matthias, all of them being hereditary. The supposition that he was minister of finance to Ferdinand is unfounded.