Lesson 19, held on December 01, 2022:

End of the Latin Empire of Romània and restoration of the Byzantine Palaeologi dynasty. Venice maintains its dominions in the Eastern Mediterranean and sends a permanent ambassador and consul (bàilo) to Constantinople. Wars against Genoa. Institution of the Council of Pregàdi (Rogati, Senato) to manage trade, navigation, the seasonal convoys (mude) of State trading galleys, and the auctions of loading space to merchants. Growth of the number of members in the Major Council, to keep pace with the aggregations. The Council of Forty is left with mostly judicial functions, becoming one of the earliest judges of appeal in medieval Europe. War crisis in 1297, lack of candidates for public offices. Emergency rules to command into the Major Council all those in office since the last four years, plus all male adult members of families in office since 1172, and additional members listed by a committee elected by the Major Council and balloted name by name by the Council of Forty with at least twelve votes in favour. Prorogation of the discipline on election days in 1298 and March 1299; stabilisation on September 29, 1299 after two years of hard testing.