Editing Bilbao (section)

=== Modern age ===
[[File:Bilbao1575.jpg|thumb|right|First engraving of the city, made by [[Franz Hohenberg]] in 1544]]
On 21 June 1511, Queen [[Joanna of Castile]] ordered the creation of the [[Consulate of the Sea]] of Bilbao. This would become the most influential institution of the borough for centuries, and would claim jurisdiction over the estuary, improving its infrastructure. Under the Consulate's control, the [[port of Bilbao]] became one of the most important of the kingdom.<ref>[[#tus04|Tussel Gómez 2004]]: 26</ref> The first [[printing-press]] was brought to the town in 1577. Here in 1596, the first book in the [[Basque language]] was edited, entitled ''Doctrina Christiana en Romance y Bascuence'' by Dr. Betolaza.<ref>Beascoechea 1999: 104</ref>

In 1602 Bilbao was made the capital of [[Biscay]], a title previously held by [[Bermeo]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/es/sociedad/visitabilbao/excursiones/bermeo.jsp | publisher = [[Port of Bilbao|Bilbaoport.es]] | title = Un día perfecto en Bermeo y Gernika | access-date = 17 September 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080923055720/http://www.bilbaoport.es/aPBW/web/es/sociedad/visitabilbao/excursiones/bermeo.jsp | archive-date = 23 September 2008 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Around 1631, the city was the scenario of a series of revolts against the increased taxation on salt, which had been ordered by the Crown, an event locally known as the "''Machinada'' of the salt". The revolt ended with the execution of several of its leaders.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Zabala Uriarte |first=Aingeru |date=17 September 2008 |title=Crónica de siete siglos |url=http://www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf |journal=Bilbao 700 |page=40 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724095226/http://www.periodistasvascos.com/imagenes/cap_2.pdf |archive-date=24 July 2008 |access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> The city had seen a continuous increase of its wealth, especially after the discovery of extensive iron deposits in the surrounding mountains, and by the end of the century it managed to overcome the economic crises that affected the rest of the kingdom, thanks in part to the increased trading of wool (which now used the port of Bilbao instead of the one in [[Santander, Spain|Santander]]), and to the iron ore and its commerce with England and the Netherlands.