Dalmatian families in “libro aureo dei veri titolati” of the Venetian magistrate over the feuds

Abstract

The author separates and investigates those Dalmatian families found in the Venetian "Libro Aureo" to whom the Venetian Republic gave new state nobility titles or confirmed the old nobility title through the magistrates. Dalmatian patriciate which was at the lop of its political and ruling power just before the Venetian occupation of Dalmatia (1409-1420), shows the tendency of stagnation and weakening of its power during the coming centuries. By the establishcment of the so-called feudal law in 1634, the Venetian Republic gave and confirmed more nobility titles and that was mostly given to the respectable citizens and newcomers. In such a way the republic created a new layer of state nobility “through the grace of the noble Senate" or by the official confirmation of old titles through the licenced magistrates. This new nobility class, is outside the city council, its nobility right are sanctioned by law and the exclusiveness of their position was valid on the whole area of Screnisimma. Although it is equal in rights this class is not homogeneous. It originated from rich citizens, military officials from the Apenninc penninsula, Morlach's dignitaries, small nobility outside of the cities and a small number of feudal lords. Ethnically, culturally, socially and economically this class is not homogeneous at all.