Prince Bartholomeus Welser was a German banker. He was the head of the banking firm of Welser Brothers, who claimed descent from the Byzantine general Belisarius. They possessed great riches, and Bartholomeus was created a prince of the empire and made privy councillor to the emperor Charles V, to whom he lent large sums, for the repayment of which he was granted, in 1527, the newly discovered province of Venezuela. He was to conquer the country at his own expense, enlist only Spanish and Flemish troops, fit out two expeditions of four vessels, and build two cities and three forts within two years after taking possession. As Venezuela was reputed to contain gold mines, he later obtained permission to send out 150 German miners.... More • http://en.wikipedia. ... 4us_Welser View • Books • Images • Videos • Search Related • Bankers • Entrepreneurs • Royalty • Cancer • Colombia • Finance • Germany • June 25 • Renaissance • Venezuela • 15th Century • 16th Century • People