Urban Elites in the Venetian Commonwealth : Social and Economic Mobility in early modern Dalmatia (Zadar/Zara, 1540 to 1570)

Abstract

The present study examines the economic, geographical, and social mobility in the early modern Adriatic using the example of the urban elites of Zadar (Zara) between the two naval battles of Preveza (1538) and Lepanto (1571). Based upon the protocols of fifteen public notaries, preserved in the Croatian State Archive in Zadar, the present thesis combines both unpublished primary and published secondary sources ? the Venetian relazioni as well as the city?s statutory laws, codified in 1563/64 ? to provide for a vivid images of past times.Methodically, the present study applies a three?pronged approach: An introductory chapter is followed by the first major part. By means of analysis of more than 900 individual procura contracts, the geographical range of Zadar?s urban elites are surveyed. So far this source type has attracted little scholarly attention despite its advantages of both qualitative and quantitative analysis potential to reconstruct pre?modern communication.The subsequent part surveys the interactions among Zadar?s various urban elites along ecclesiastical, economic, and political lines; the intricate relationship of clergy and nobility is of particular interest in this context. While the first segment of this part focuses on the analysis of the interrelationships of the elite groups, the second segment is a case study examining the real estate market. Thorough analysis of more than 1.700 individual contracts sheds new light on the developments of the economic foundations of an early modern frontier society.Zadar?s various urban elites ? nobility, elite commoners, Croats, and Jews ? and their marriage behaviour, material culture and, more general, interactions are the main topics of the final part. Based upon marriage contracts, dowry quitclaims, and testaments, colourful images of life in Venice?s maritime state in the 16th century emerges.