Lesson 17 -- 2024-11-22

Competition with Genoa: from trade to war. Experimentation with the procedure for the elections: staged renewal of offices to keep continuity of affairs; additional elections on March 29; war emergency on September 29, 1297 (not enough candidates to cover all offices); instead of an election, for the next six months until the suppletive election on March 29, 1298, the Major Council would be formed by commanded men presenting requisites of three types; law prorogated every six months until September 29, 1299, when the new composition became permanent. No opposition from those who were excluded. Sudden increase in the number of members of the Major Council. Introduction of disparity of status: civil rights and criminal responsibility equal for all, but political rights only to aristocrats. In comparison with feudal aristocracies, the Venetian one is much more numerous; succession is not limited to firstborn males; no privileges in front of the law, but a duty to serve the State; community of life with commoners in the city. The Golden Book kept by the Avogadori di Comun, an anagraphical record of the nobility. Coming of age and the "grace of the Barbarella".