Pratica segreta
Item
Country
IT
Name of institution (English)
State Archives of Florence
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
ita
Contact information: postal address
Viale Giovine Italia 6, 50122 Florence
Contact information: phone number
0039 055263201
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
asfi@archiviodistato.firenze.it
Reference number
Pratica segreta
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Secret Affairs Council
Title (official language of the state)
Pratica segreta
Language of title
ita
Creator / accumulator
Pratica segreta
Date(s)
1545/1784
Language(s)
ita
lat
Extent
206 storage units
Type of material
Textual Material
Scope and content
The diverse competencies and affairs handled by the Pratica segreta as well as its non-institutionalised way of proceeding are reflected in the composition of its fonds, namely in the heterogeneous nature of its records. It comprises administrative, judicial and financial documents, records regarding trade and taxes, letters, resolutions, confirmations or concessions of privileges, etc.
Among these various kinds of records, there is some important evidence for the history of the Jewish communities in Tuscany. For instance, book 189 (Libro IV Privilegi, 1582-1594) includes a copy of the so-called "Livornina", the privilege given to Jewish merchants and others from other "nations" to freely trade and live in Livorno and Pisa for 25 years on July 30, 1591, and later revised on August 22, 1593. The same book contains other individual privileges and favours granted to some Sephardic and converso merchants, such as Fernando Ximenes and his brothers (fols. 119v-120, 183v-185v, 202-203), or Domenico and Giovanni Rodrigues Pardo and Francesco da Costa, from Venice, to whom a 20-year patent to produce mercury at Pisa was given in 1583 (fols. 203v-204). Other examples can be found in the following files:
154, fol. 91: Cosimo de Medici writes to the Florentine consul at Venice, requesting him to help Ghimara Nunes, widow of Dr Luigi Nunes, and her children, Portuguese New Christians who lived in Florence. May 27, 1566.
192, fols. 50r–v, 70r–v, 105v–106r: documents regarding investments made by the Franco family in silk manufacturing, sugar refining and soap making.
Among these various kinds of records, there is some important evidence for the history of the Jewish communities in Tuscany. For instance, book 189 (Libro IV Privilegi, 1582-1594) includes a copy of the so-called "Livornina", the privilege given to Jewish merchants and others from other "nations" to freely trade and live in Livorno and Pisa for 25 years on July 30, 1591, and later revised on August 22, 1593. The same book contains other individual privileges and favours granted to some Sephardic and converso merchants, such as Fernando Ximenes and his brothers (fols. 119v-120, 183v-185v, 202-203), or Domenico and Giovanni Rodrigues Pardo and Francesco da Costa, from Venice, to whom a 20-year patent to produce mercury at Pisa was given in 1583 (fols. 203v-204). Other examples can be found in the following files:
154, fol. 91: Cosimo de Medici writes to the Florentine consul at Venice, requesting him to help Ghimara Nunes, widow of Dr Luigi Nunes, and her children, Portuguese New Christians who lived in Florence. May 27, 1566.
192, fols. 50r–v, 70r–v, 105v–106r: documents regarding investments made by the Franco family in silk manufacturing, sugar refining and soap making.
Archival history
The conservation of the documents produced by the Pratica Segreta was under the responsibility of its secretary, a position that was generally assigned to the Auditore delle Riformagioni. However, the Pratica Segreta's records were kept separately from the Riformagioni's documentation. This system was followed until its extinction in 1784. Then, the Pratica's papers became part of the Archivio delle Riformagioni.
In 1769, Grand Duke Pietro Leopold had appointed Gian Francesco Pagnini as director of the Riformagioni and assigned him the task of reorganising the archive. However, the Pratica Segreta's records were not subject to this Pagnini's intervention. In 1785, Filippo Brunetti replaced Pagnini and received instructions to reorganise the archive's collection, which, in the meanwhile, had increased with new incorporations. Brunetti proceeded to a classification by subject, and Pratica Segreta's records were distributed in various sections.
Between the end of the 18th century and the early 19th century, including during the French domination, the Pratica Segreta's records, as well as all the Archivio delle Riformagioni, did not suffer any important change. Indeed, Luigi Lustrini, who had been entrusted with the direction of the Conservation générale des archives de Toscane, did not subject the archives to new organisations or classifications, even against the instructions given by the French government.
After the establishment of the Archivio Centrale di Stato in 1852, the Archivio delle Riformagioni was rearranged following the historical criterion adopted by the director, Francesco Bonaini. Therefore, the records were divided into three sections: Diplomatico, Repubblica and Principato. The Pratica Segreta fonds was included in the third section and placed in room XIX of the Uffizi.
In the 1920s, the sorting process of the Pratica Segreta fonds was completed, and Gaetano Pappaianni produced a summary inventory, which is still used at present. Brunetti's arrangement was maintained only with a few changes, such as the adoption of a continuous numbering to the entire fonds, instead of the division into "Classi" (classes) and "Distinzioni" (distinctions).
In 1769, Grand Duke Pietro Leopold had appointed Gian Francesco Pagnini as director of the Riformagioni and assigned him the task of reorganising the archive. However, the Pratica Segreta's records were not subject to this Pagnini's intervention. In 1785, Filippo Brunetti replaced Pagnini and received instructions to reorganise the archive's collection, which, in the meanwhile, had increased with new incorporations. Brunetti proceeded to a classification by subject, and Pratica Segreta's records were distributed in various sections.
Between the end of the 18th century and the early 19th century, including during the French domination, the Pratica Segreta's records, as well as all the Archivio delle Riformagioni, did not suffer any important change. Indeed, Luigi Lustrini, who had been entrusted with the direction of the Conservation générale des archives de Toscane, did not subject the archives to new organisations or classifications, even against the instructions given by the French government.
After the establishment of the Archivio Centrale di Stato in 1852, the Archivio delle Riformagioni was rearranged following the historical criterion adopted by the director, Francesco Bonaini. Therefore, the records were divided into three sections: Diplomatico, Repubblica and Principato. The Pratica Segreta fonds was included in the third section and placed in room XIX of the Uffizi.
In the 1920s, the sorting process of the Pratica Segreta fonds was completed, and Gaetano Pappaianni produced a summary inventory, which is still used at present. Brunetti's arrangement was maintained only with a few changes, such as the adoption of a continuous numbering to the entire fonds, instead of the division into "Classi" (classes) and "Distinzioni" (distinctions).
Administrative / Biographical history
The Pratica Segreta was an advisory council of the prince, whose origin dates back to 1545. Its members were chosen from among the Grand Duke's closest officers. The Pratica had mainly consultive functions, such as the elaboration of the provisions that the sovereign intended to submit for the Councils' approval. Over time, the Pratica replaced the Magistrato Supremo (Supreme Magistrate) in part of its competencies.
At the time of Cosimo I, the Pratica met at least twice a week, and it was composed of the Auditore delle Riformagioni, the Auditore Fiscale, the Auditore della giurisdizione, two senators of the Otto di Pratica, the Provveditore del Monte, the Depositario generale and a variable group of trustworthy men of the Grand Duke, as well as expert jurists. One of its members, usually the Auditore delle Riformagioni, was appointed secretary and had the function of reporting to the prince on the work of the Pratica and submitting its advice. The documentation produced by the council was kept in a specific registry and under the secretary's responsibility.
The Pratica was called upon to pronounce on a rather diverse number of subjects, such as administrative, fiscal, juridical and jurisdictional matters. In particular, it supervised the imposition of a number of taxes and the resulting disputes. Cases concerning exemptions, privileges, grants of immunities and deferred debts were prerogative of the Pratica. At least from 1557, the council was also called to examine the statutes and resolutions of guilds. Salaries and expenses of ministers, as well as extraordinary provisions for public offices also passed under the scrutiny of the Pratica. As regards jurisdictional issues, the Pratica was consulted on conflicts between magistrates, disputes involving the possession succession and division of properties belonging to the Grand Duke and between himself and feudal lords, as well as contentions between the Grand Duchy and the Papal States, which included Inquisition matters. From 1582, the Pratica Segreta had the power to enable notaries to exercise their profession and, from 1586, it could authorise judges and notaries in office to leave their residence.
The higher complexity of the Principato's administration and the creation of new bodies, such as the Consulta, progressively limited the Pratica's competencies. During the Lorenese dynasty, its activity was severely reduced. On April 16, 1784, the Pratica Segreta was extinct and its duties were assigned to the Consulta.
At the time of Cosimo I, the Pratica met at least twice a week, and it was composed of the Auditore delle Riformagioni, the Auditore Fiscale, the Auditore della giurisdizione, two senators of the Otto di Pratica, the Provveditore del Monte, the Depositario generale and a variable group of trustworthy men of the Grand Duke, as well as expert jurists. One of its members, usually the Auditore delle Riformagioni, was appointed secretary and had the function of reporting to the prince on the work of the Pratica and submitting its advice. The documentation produced by the council was kept in a specific registry and under the secretary's responsibility.
The Pratica was called upon to pronounce on a rather diverse number of subjects, such as administrative, fiscal, juridical and jurisdictional matters. In particular, it supervised the imposition of a number of taxes and the resulting disputes. Cases concerning exemptions, privileges, grants of immunities and deferred debts were prerogative of the Pratica. At least from 1557, the council was also called to examine the statutes and resolutions of guilds. Salaries and expenses of ministers, as well as extraordinary provisions for public offices also passed under the scrutiny of the Pratica. As regards jurisdictional issues, the Pratica was consulted on conflicts between magistrates, disputes involving the possession succession and division of properties belonging to the Grand Duke and between himself and feudal lords, as well as contentions between the Grand Duchy and the Papal States, which included Inquisition matters. From 1582, the Pratica Segreta had the power to enable notaries to exercise their profession and, from 1586, it could authorise judges and notaries in office to leave their residence.
The higher complexity of the Principato's administration and the creation of new bodies, such as the Consulta, progressively limited the Pratica's competencies. During the Lorenese dynasty, its activity was severely reduced. On April 16, 1784, the Pratica Segreta was extinct and its duties were assigned to the Consulta.
Access points: locations
Access points: persons, families
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The fonds is divided into several series. Records are numbered sequentially in the whole fonds, from 1 to 206.
Finding aids
Pappaianni, Gaetano. "Inventario sommario del Consiglio dei Dugento, Senato dei Quarantotto, Pratica Segreta, Auditore delle Riformagioni". 1921-22 (available in the archive's reading room: N/53)
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Carla Vieira, 2021
Bibliography
Published primary sources
Linked resources
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