Original scientific paper
Zadar Nobility and Bourgeoisie During French Rule in Dalmatia
Josip Celić
; Zadar, Croatia
Abstract
The paper presents the upper social classes of the city of Zadar, or rather, the author analyses Zadar nobility and bourgeoisie at the beginning of the Napoleonic rule, based on the 1806 census data. First, the historical and legal tradition, and the formation of social structures in Zadar during the time preceding French rule, are presented, followed by a historical-demographic analysis of the lists of members of Zadar nobility and bourgeoisie up to the year 1814. The paper includes archival data regarding the existence and presence of the majority of old Zadar families, on the basis of which data their migrations and settling in Zadar are followed.
Relying on the tradition of municipium from late Classical Antiquity, Zadar mediaeval city municipality, consisting of the members of Zadar nobility with a long-century tradition of presence in the city, formed the Nobility Council (Plemićko vijeće) – which existed until the establishment of French rule. Zadar was the only city in Dalmatia that, in addition to the body formed by members of the nobility, had a second body, the Bourgeoisie Council (Vijeće građana), which was a closed and hereditary body with rights and privileges received from the earlier Venetian rule. This body was formed towards the end of the 16th century for pragmatic and political reasons, and it existed until the beginning of the Napoleonic rule.
The Great Council (Veliko vijeće), which was the leading official body, had since the end of the 17th century recruited its members from the ranks of the mediaeval pre-Venetian old Zadar nobility – small in number and originating from the areas belonging to Venice, or rather to its coastal area and land territory; this not only directed the migration waves towards the city of Zadar, but also changed the ethnic composition, or the demographic portrait of this city and its surroundings. Apart from being a challenge for immigrants climbing up the social ladder and entering the Nobility Council and the Bourgeoisie Council, Zadar was additionally of major interest to members of other social classes, craftsmen of various types, and civil servants.
In conclusion: the official bodies in Dalmatia, and hence in Zadar as well, were dismissed by French rule on 26 November 1806; the dismissal, which was signed by general proveditor Vicko Dandolo, stipulated that municipal bourgeois administrations were to be established instead.
Keywords
French rule; Zadar; nobility; bourgeoisie; lists; historical demography
Hrčak ID:
131225
URI
Publication date:
19.12.2014.
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