Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/9e31lhvqdm
Occupation or Protectorate? The Markgraviate of Istria under Doimo di Castello in the 1380s
Josip Banić
orcid.org/0000-0001-5329-4258
; Central European University, Department of Medieval Studies
Abstract
Article researches different factors influencing promotion of Doimo di Castello, prominent nobleman from distinguished magnate family of Friuli, on the position of the markgrave of Istria. The analysis is situated within complex background marked by the extreme political instability in the Northern Adriatic after the appointment of Cardinal Philippe d'Alençon for new patriarch of Aquileia (1381-1387), who received the patriarchate in commendam. As a great number of political factors of Friuli did not accept patriarch appointed in commendam, turbulent period of ascendency of two opposing camps in Friuli. In order to force his rebelled subjects into obedience, d’Alençon found an ally in the powerful lord of Padua, Francesco da Carrara, traditional enemy of the neighbouring political force, Republic of Venice. Not wanting that danger similar to the one happening during the War of Chioggia, Venice decided to intervene in the matters of the Patriarchate of Aquileia after Carrara’s appearance on the Friulan scene, by supporting the faction opposing the cardinal-patriarch. In that manner, the so-called “Lucky Union” (Felix unio), the alliance of Venice and Friulan discontents, with the purpose of limiting the power of da Carrara and ensuring election of the new patriarch in titulum, came into being. Since Doimo di Castello from the very beginning supported faction opposing Cardinal d’Alençon, allying himself afterwards resolutely to the pro-Venetian league, the article shows that all these factors influenced career of this Friulan magnate and future destiny of the Markgraviate of Istria. Conceptual apparatus on which the analysis is founded is based on the theory of collaboration of Ronald Robinson. In that manner, it is demonstrated that Doimo di Castello was a collaborator of an intervening force (Venice) who had to reconcile interests of local communities with Venetian expectations. In Istria, this collaboration mirrored itself in a more pronounced Venetian influence in Aquileian Istria and in promotion of Venetian interests in local conflicts. Finally, the article shows that exactly Doimo’s mandate in the markgraviate of Istria led to connecting of the castle of Petrapilosa to the function of the markgrave, by demonstrating developmental path leading finally to the genesis of new title, the “marchio Petrepilose”. The article closes publication of several hitherto unpublished documents referring on the Doimo’s governing of the markgraviate of Istria.
Keywords
Istria; Patriarchate of Aquileia; Philippe d’Alençon; Venice; the fourteenth century; political history; collaboration
Hrčak ID:
240390
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2019.
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