Venice: 1202-1295

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 1, 1202-1509. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1864.

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'Venice: 1202-1295', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 1, 1202-1509, (London, 1864) pp. 1-3. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol1/pp1-3 [accessed 26 April 2024]

1202–1295

1202. Oct. 1. Baldwin Count of Flanders and Hainault.
Notarial attestation that he bound himself to pay, at the next fair of Ligny, to Markisino Soranzo, Pietro Giuliano, Marino Gradenigo and Luca Ardit [? Ardizoni], noblemen of Venice, or to their assigns, unconditionally, the sum of 121 ounces in marks sterling (marcas sterlinorum) at the rate of 13 “solidi” and 4 “denarii” for each silver mark.
Failing payment, he was willing the said individuals should seize goods belonging to his subjects sufficient for the reimbursement of such money; and he requested the Doge to lend his aid and favour to that effect.
Dated the Island (in tumbâ) of St. Erasmus, 1202, in the month of October, 6th indiction.
[Latin, 19 lines. Serie documenti drplomatici Staccati, No. 76, del Catcdogo; Biblioth. Codici e MSS. Miscell. Archivio Veneto.]
1224. 13 Sept. 2. Doge Pietro Ziani and his six Privy Counsellors.
Order in Council for a writ of attachment, at the suit of Raymond late of England, resident at Venice, against Agnes of Marseilles, for breach of a contract of marriage, entered into by Raymond on behalf of his son Giles with Agnes on behalf of her daughter, and whereby Agnes had stipulated to bring her daughter to Venice from Marseilles should she be alive, and to give her as dower one hundred Parisian livres and other effects.
Raymond, having reason to suspect that when he made the contract and gave security for its performance Agnes was already aware of her daughter's demise, petitioned the Signory to ascertain the fact by writing to the Bishop of Marseilles, who replied that the daughter of Agnes was dead; whereupon the Privy Council attached the property of Agnes for the benefit of Raymond, who obtained a certain amount of ready money and Eastern produce, thus:–
346 Venetian light livres. 6 bladders ginger.
32 lbs. galangal. 14 lbs. cardamums.
22½ lbs. mace. 4 pieces of damask.
[Latin. Liber Comunis sive Plegiorum. Small folio volume of 210 pages, containing 705 entries. The foregoing (number 271) consists of 12 lines and, three words written on paper. Dimensions of page, 1 foot 4 inches by 11½ inches.]
1265. Nov. 6. “Fractus.” “Deliberazioni,” Grand Council. 3. Tariff of Duties on Cloths, Linens, and Fustians.
For one whole piece of English Stamford (de pecia integra Stanfortis Angliæ) solidos 24.
For dyed Stamford of any color in two remnants (de Stanforte tincto de omni colore quod adducitur in duobus caviciis) 12s.
And for one remnant 13s.
For Milanese Stamfords of Monza 5s.
[Latin.]
1272. Feb. 15. “Comune I.” “Deliberazioni,” Grand Council, p. 18. 4. “Cambium.”
Concerning merchants who go (qui vadunt) to France.
They may cany “cambium,” (fn. 1) but not silver, either in plate or in bar, nor gold in bar or in leaf (de paglola).
Repeal of the act forbidding any Venetian to go from Venice to France save with merchandise, and allowing them to take “cambium” to France, and to receive it thence, if for their advantage, so that the drapery brought thence may not be sold elsewhere than at Venice; but they may not carry silver in plate or in bar, nor gold in bar or in leaf (de paglola).
[Latin, 8 lines.]
1273. Dec. 13. “ Comune I.” “Deliberazioni,” Grand Council, p. 24. 5. “Cambium.”
Concerning merchants navigating to the parts of Provence, to Marseilles, Montpellier, and Aigues-Mortes, with the exemptions, &c.
Permission both for Venetians and aliens to go from Venice to Provence whether to Marseilles, Montpellier, or Aigues-Mortes, or to other parts of those countries without payment of any duty or toll, they being allowed to convey all merchandise brought from Venetian provinces in the Levant from Rumelie and Sclavonia and every Venetian manufacture. Should they go to the fairs (ad foras) either in Flanders or to other parts thereabouts, and then come to Venice with woollens (cum draperiis), they may import, duty free, merchandise to the amount exported by them thence.
And if the town of Venice be closed or interdicted, be it open to this effect, save that they may not bring gold, silver, or gold or silver coin or “cambium;” and bringing such, they are allowed to bring jewels, stones, and pearls without fraud.
[Latin, 18 lines. Translated into Italian by Marin, in his Storia Civile Politica del Commercio de' Veneziani (Venice edition, 1800), vol. v., p. 295.]
1274. Oct. 9. “Comune II.” “Deliberazioni.” Grand Council, p. 84. 6. Sterling Silver.
Overseers of money gross (monetæ grossæ) to supply sterling silver. Act passed for an addition to the statute book of the overseers of money-gross, binding them, in like manner as they had hitherto supplied the merchants with sterling silver in bars for 5 “solidi,” so to continue doing for the future.
[Latin, 5 lines. Printed in the Giustinian Correspondence, vol. ii., p. 320.]
1287. Sept. 16. “Deliberazioni,” Grand Council. 7. Saffron.
Act passed by the Grand Council, that consuls be empowered to compel such persons as shall seem fit to them to appraise saffron.
[Latin.]
1295. July 17. “Deliberazioni,” Grand Council. Zaneta Pilosus, p.496. 8. Sterling Money.
Whereas the Duke and Councillors of Candia are bound by their commissions not to sell the measure of salt for more than the sum of two sterlings; and whereas, for want of shipping, salt is dearer than usual—Enacted, that the Duke and Councillors be at liberty to sell the measure of salt for more than the sum of two sterlings, the clause of their commissions to the contrary notwithstanding.
[Latin.]

Footnotes

  • 1. Exchange metal of the sterling standard (?).