Cassa segreta vecchia (1500-1598) e nuova (1598-1800)

Item

Country

IT

Name of institution (English)

State Archives of Modena

Name of institution (official language of the state)

Language of name of institution

ita

Contact information: postal address

Corso Cavour 21, 41121 Modena

Contact information: phone number

0039 059230549

Contact information: web address

Contact information: email

as-mo@beniculturali.it

Reference number

Cassa Vecchia Segreta

Type of reference number

Archival reference number

Title (English)

Old (1500-1598) and new (1598-1800) secret boxes

Title (official language of the state)

Cassa segreta vecchia (1500-1598) e nuova (1598-1800)

Language of title

ita

Creator / accumulator

Camera marchionale estense, later Camera ducale estense

Date(s)

1500/1800

Language(s)

ita

Extent

972 folders and 14 files

Type of material

Textual Material

Physical condition

Satisfactory

Scope and content

The Cassa segreta vecchia (1500-1598) e nuova (1598-1800) fonds comprises a collection of selected accounting records. Among these records, Leoni (2011) identified a letter from Henrique Nunes to the Duke of Ferrara (busta 12), informing him on the purchase of 40 bales of Spanish wool, whose payment was to be made via Don Isaac Abravanel. The letter was written in Florence on August 29, 1556.

Archival history

The name of this fonds derived from its records, since considered of particular importance, had been archived in a cabinet called the "cassa segreta" (secret box). It is part of the Camera ducale, one of the fonds that constituted the Archivio Camerale. The Archivio Camerale, together with the Archivio segreto estense, formed the two archival deposits of the Estense state. They were kept together in the Palazzo Ducale at least since the late 18th century. After the Italian unification, around 1862, both were transferred to the Archivio generale di deposito in Corso Cavour, which became the seat of the government archives, thus renamed Archivio governativo. This transfer marked the birth of the current Archivio di Stato di Modena, which was only so named after 1874.
The Camera ducale fonds was subject to several losses over its history, currently reflected on the serious gaps and interruptions of some fundamental series. Eighteenth-century inventories of the central core of the archive as well as other old catalogues, most of them disorganised, fragmentary and not always corresponding to the current arrangement, are preserved in the Vecchi inventari e note d'archivio fonds.

Administrative / Biographical history

The Camera is considered the oldest body in which the organisation of the Estense state took place. It was responsible for the administration of the income and expenses of every kind pertaining or related to the sovereign or the ruling family, and even individual members of the Este family. At least until the second half of the 18th century, the "fattori general" (general factors) headed the Camera. There was usually two "fattori", who served as proxies of the prince in economic and financial matters. They collegially constituted the Tribunale fattorale, and were assisted by other officers, including one or more "notai camerali" (Chamber notaries), who were responsible for drafting the deeds.
During the 18th century, the structure and functioning of the Camera suffered profound changes, particularly in matters of tax collection. In this framework of institutional renewal, the old system of general "fattori# and, therefore, the Camera government evolved to the Azienda camerale (Chamber treasury), a new structure with a president and councillors. In 1768, the Consiglio di economia (Council of Economics) was created, heading all offices and magistrates with economic and financial responsibilities.

Access points: locations

Access points: persons, families

Access points: subject terms

Access points: document types

Links to finding aids

Author of the description

Carla Vieira, 2022

Published primary sources

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Title Alternate label Class
Archivio di Stato di Modena Collections (official language of the state)