Senato o Consiglio dei rogati o Consiglio dei pregadi o Pregadi
Item
Country
IT
Name of institution (English)
State Archives of Venice
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
ita
Contact information: postal address
Campo dei Frari, San Polo 3002, 30125 Venice
Contact information: phone number
0039 0415222281
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
as-ve@archivi.beniculturali.it
Reference number
Senato
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Senate or Council of the rogati or Council of the pregadi
Title (official language of the state)
Senato o Consiglio dei rogati o Consiglio dei pregadi o Pregadi
Language of title
ita
Creator / accumulator
Senato o Consiglio dei rogati o Consiglio dei pregadi o Pregadi
Date(s)
1300/1797
Language(s)
ita
Extent
c. 14,900 storage units
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Good
Scope and content
This fond comprises documentation produced by the Senato of Venice (or Consiglio dei rogati, or Consiglio dei Pregadi) from the 13th century to the 18th century. Being one of the most relevant institutions of government of the Republic of Venice, it contains different document types, concerning a wide number of subjects decided in the Senato. It is divided into seven major series of documents: Capitolare (1530-1644), Deliberazioni (1300-1797), Dispacci (1321-1797), Pergamene (1412-1672), Rubriche in ordine alla parte del Maggior consiglio del 17 gennaio 1744 (1774-1797), Rubriche delle deliberazioni spedite (1784-1795) and Repertori Roma (1622-1628). Particularly interesting are the Deliberazioni (deliberations), as it contains documents specifically related to issues associated with the Mar (sea), Terra (land), and Secreti (secrets, i.e. issues related to government affairs of the Republic).
This fonds contains abundant documentation concerning the Jewish communities, often related to its commercial and maritime activities. For instance, on October 28, 1577, Daniel Rodriga presented a memorandum, proposing the establishment of a free-transit scale at Spalato (Mar, filza 69). This issue was reviewed by the Senato on June 25, 1580 (Secreta, filza 51). There is also reference to a request presented by the same Daniel Rodriga asking permission to bring to the city up to 50 families of Jewish merchants and to grant them the same privileges of the visiting Levantine Jewish merchants, on July 17, 1584 (Mar, filza 91). The same Daniel Rodriga was, once again, the subject of a petition from the Jewish merchants to the Senato, in which they asked for the confirmation of certain privileges, that Rodriga was also aiming to achieve. Petition from July 27, 1589 (Mar, filza 104). Published by Benjamin (1976).
This fond is rich in documentation concerning other aspects of the Jewish community in Venice as well. For instance, on December 19, 1548, the Senato decided to allow the Jewish communities to have synagogues, according to its past practices (Secreta, reg. 66, fols. 74v-76v). Later, in August, 1550, the Senato decreed the expulsion of the Marranos (Jews of Portugal and Spain converted to Christianity and their descendants) from Venice (Terra, filza 11, II, 8 July, 22 Aug. I550; registro I550-I, fols. 43v-44, 29). It is also possible to find a decision on the requirements that were to be taken in consideration, regarding a transit safe conduct for Joseph Nasi's brother, Bernardo, to pass through the Venetian state, in May 1558 (Constantinopoli, reg. 1, fols. 77-80v). There are also documents about debates held between different Venetian institutions concerning the Jewish communities, such as when, on September 24, 1625, the Senato debated the response of the Cinque Savi alla Mercanzia regarding a petition presented by some Jews, in which they requested the renewal of the charter of 1611, that recognised the importance of the Levantine and Ponentine Jews immigration for the development of Venice's trade (Terra, filza 276); or when, on June 26, 1687, the Senato advised the Doge on the request presented by the Jewish community of Venice regarding the case of Antonio Molin, alias David Lombroso, a Jew converted to Christianity. The case was motivated by the fact that his mother had been coerced by the authorities to swear in the name of God, following a dispute she had with his son. The Università degli Ebrei (Jewish community of Venice) argued against this decision, claiming that the privileges granted to Jews gave them protection against any sort of forceful conversions (Terra, filza 1083. Published in Zoratini (1994): Processi, XII). And also when, on July 10, 1636, the Senato debated the possibility of taxing the Jewish community of Venice and the fact that this decision could lead to their departure from Venice to some other cities, such as Ragusa or Ancona (Terra, filza 387, July 10, 1636).
This fonds contains abundant documentation concerning the Jewish communities, often related to its commercial and maritime activities. For instance, on October 28, 1577, Daniel Rodriga presented a memorandum, proposing the establishment of a free-transit scale at Spalato (Mar, filza 69). This issue was reviewed by the Senato on June 25, 1580 (Secreta, filza 51). There is also reference to a request presented by the same Daniel Rodriga asking permission to bring to the city up to 50 families of Jewish merchants and to grant them the same privileges of the visiting Levantine Jewish merchants, on July 17, 1584 (Mar, filza 91). The same Daniel Rodriga was, once again, the subject of a petition from the Jewish merchants to the Senato, in which they asked for the confirmation of certain privileges, that Rodriga was also aiming to achieve. Petition from July 27, 1589 (Mar, filza 104). Published by Benjamin (1976).
This fond is rich in documentation concerning other aspects of the Jewish community in Venice as well. For instance, on December 19, 1548, the Senato decided to allow the Jewish communities to have synagogues, according to its past practices (Secreta, reg. 66, fols. 74v-76v). Later, in August, 1550, the Senato decreed the expulsion of the Marranos (Jews of Portugal and Spain converted to Christianity and their descendants) from Venice (Terra, filza 11, II, 8 July, 22 Aug. I550; registro I550-I, fols. 43v-44, 29). It is also possible to find a decision on the requirements that were to be taken in consideration, regarding a transit safe conduct for Joseph Nasi's brother, Bernardo, to pass through the Venetian state, in May 1558 (Constantinopoli, reg. 1, fols. 77-80v). There are also documents about debates held between different Venetian institutions concerning the Jewish communities, such as when, on September 24, 1625, the Senato debated the response of the Cinque Savi alla Mercanzia regarding a petition presented by some Jews, in which they requested the renewal of the charter of 1611, that recognised the importance of the Levantine and Ponentine Jews immigration for the development of Venice's trade (Terra, filza 276); or when, on June 26, 1687, the Senato advised the Doge on the request presented by the Jewish community of Venice regarding the case of Antonio Molin, alias David Lombroso, a Jew converted to Christianity. The case was motivated by the fact that his mother had been coerced by the authorities to swear in the name of God, following a dispute she had with his son. The Università degli Ebrei (Jewish community of Venice) argued against this decision, claiming that the privileges granted to Jews gave them protection against any sort of forceful conversions (Terra, filza 1083. Published in Zoratini (1994): Processi, XII). And also when, on July 10, 1636, the Senato debated the possibility of taxing the Jewish community of Venice and the fact that this decision could lead to their departure from Venice to some other cities, such as Ragusa or Ancona (Terra, filza 387, July 10, 1636).
Archival history
The oldest references that testify to the existence of archives in the Republic of Venice indicate the concentration of documents in the Basilica of Saint Mark, the Doge's Palace and the buildings of the different Councils and Colleges of the government. Efforts to organise and preserve written documents of the institutions of the Republic are known in the 13th century. For instance, in 1266, the Maggior Consiglio (Major Council) determined that all its decisions should be transcribed and that one of the copies should be stored in the archive of the Quarantia (Council of Forty). In 1271 and 1272, new orders determined that all "avogadori" (magistrates) should return any documents that they eventually had in their possession for their own personal use to the Doge's Archives.
On October 27, 1283, a deliberation especially referred to the fact that the laws of the Maggior Consiglio were registered in ten books. Subsequently, it determined the creation of a commission to copy the laws that were still in place. The existence of a Cancelleria Ducale (Chancellery in the Doge's Palace) where the most important documents were stored, with proper officials, probably became a reality in this period.
The archive of the Senato was stored in the Chancelleria Ducale, with those of other Councils of Venice. As a result of the close procedural connections, some series have been described alternately within one or the other fonds over the years.
After the fall of the Republic of Venice in 1797, document collections faced many challenges as they were separated to different areas of the city, while others were transported to other cities, such as Paris, Vienna and Milan. In 1807, the fonds was divided and stored in three main buildings: political documentation was transferred to the Scuola di S. Teodoro, judicial documentation was transferred to the Convent of S. Giovanni Laterano, and the documentation related to state and financial matters was deposited at S. Provolo.
On December 13, 1815, Francesco I determined the reunification of the archival collections and, in 1822, the Convent of S. Maria Gloriosa dei Frari was chosen to become the main building of the archive. In the last decades of the 19th century, some additional structures were added. At the same time, a successful negotiation process allowed for the return of almost all archival collections that had been sent to other cities in the first decades of the 19th century.
On October 27, 1283, a deliberation especially referred to the fact that the laws of the Maggior Consiglio were registered in ten books. Subsequently, it determined the creation of a commission to copy the laws that were still in place. The existence of a Cancelleria Ducale (Chancellery in the Doge's Palace) where the most important documents were stored, with proper officials, probably became a reality in this period.
The archive of the Senato was stored in the Chancelleria Ducale, with those of other Councils of Venice. As a result of the close procedural connections, some series have been described alternately within one or the other fonds over the years.
After the fall of the Republic of Venice in 1797, document collections faced many challenges as they were separated to different areas of the city, while others were transported to other cities, such as Paris, Vienna and Milan. In 1807, the fonds was divided and stored in three main buildings: political documentation was transferred to the Scuola di S. Teodoro, judicial documentation was transferred to the Convent of S. Giovanni Laterano, and the documentation related to state and financial matters was deposited at S. Provolo.
On December 13, 1815, Francesco I determined the reunification of the archival collections and, in 1822, the Convent of S. Maria Gloriosa dei Frari was chosen to become the main building of the archive. In the last decades of the 19th century, some additional structures were added. At the same time, a successful negotiation process allowed for the return of almost all archival collections that had been sent to other cities in the first decades of the 19th century.
Administrative / Biographical history
According to the tradition, the Senato was founded in 1229 — its existence is known for certain only in 1255 — when Iacopo Tiepolo was the Doge of Venice. It was a more agile institution than the Maggior Consiglio (Major Council), with particular intervention in the mercantile and maritime activities of Venice. Its original designations were Council of rogati or Council of pregadi (or simply the Pregadi) and only later was the name Senato given, due to humanistic influences.
It was presided by the Doge of Venice and was initially composed of 60 members, a number that suffered numerous alterations in the following decades. The overall more than two hundred members had non-uniform prerogatives: "metter parte" (power of initiative) and "metter ballot" (voting power), as well as active and passive electorate variously combined, or they intervened only in a consultative capacity or as mere observers. Especially after the 14th century, the Senato was gradually given more power and was frequently assisted by smaller groups in the decision making processes, as a result of the complexity of its competencies.
In general terms, the Senato was the great assembly of the republic, with vast legislative and governmental powers, as well as judicial powers. It was presided by the Doge and his advisers. The "savi" (officials, literary wise men) of Venice were elected from its own members, and were divided into three groups who assisted the Doge in all governmental activities.
It was presided by the Doge of Venice and was initially composed of 60 members, a number that suffered numerous alterations in the following decades. The overall more than two hundred members had non-uniform prerogatives: "metter parte" (power of initiative) and "metter ballot" (voting power), as well as active and passive electorate variously combined, or they intervened only in a consultative capacity or as mere observers. Especially after the 14th century, the Senato was gradually given more power and was frequently assisted by smaller groups in the decision making processes, as a result of the complexity of its competencies.
In general terms, the Senato was the great assembly of the republic, with vast legislative and governmental powers, as well as judicial powers. It was presided by the Doge and his advisers. The "savi" (officials, literary wise men) of Venice were elected from its own members, and were divided into three groups who assisted the Doge in all governmental activities.
Sources:
Access points: locations
Access points: persons, families
Access points: corporate bodies
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The Senato is a particularly complex fonds. Due to the close relation with the Collegio (Minor consiglio, Signoria, Collegio, Pien collegio), some series are described alternately within one fonds or the other. The fonds is divided into seven series, each of them also divided into subseries. Each series has its own numbering.
Access, restrictions
Subject to some consultation limits. The following series are available online:
Finding aids
Unpublished finding aids available in the archive:
"Corrispondenze diplomatiche veneziane da Napoli. Relazioni". 1992 (Coll. 111 I B).
"Deliberazioni del Consiglio dei rogati (Senato). Serie Mixtorum".
1960-1961 (CONS. VEN. 945.30 a DEP I 69).
1960-1961 (CONS. VEN. 945.30 a DEP I 69).
"Dispacci degli ambasciatori al Senato. Indice". 1959 (006).
"Possessi ecclesiastici. Registri", (18)
sotto serie - Possessi ecclesiastici. Filze (001); sotto serie - Possessi ecclesiastici. Registri. I serie (002); sotto serie - Possessi ecclesiastici. Registri. II serie (003)
sotto serie - Possessi ecclesiastici. Filze (001); sotto serie - Possessi ecclesiastici. Registri. I serie (002); sotto serie - Possessi ecclesiastici. Registri. II serie (003)
"Senato. Dispacci antichi di ambasciatori, rettori e altre cariche (1321-1528)". 1909 (327).
"Venezia - Senato. Deliberazioni miste. Registro XX (1341-1342)". 2004 (CONS. VEN. 945.31 c SAM)
"Venezia - Senato. Deliberazioni miste. Registro XXI (1342-1344)". 2006.
"Venezia - Senato. Deliberazioni miste. Registro XXII (1344-1345)". 2006.
"Venezia - Senato. Registro XXIII (1345-1347)". 2004 (CONS. VEN. 945.31 c SAM)
"Venezia - Senato. Deliberazioni miste. Registro XXIV (1347-1349)". 2006.
"Venezia - Senato. Deliberazioni miste. Registro XXV (1349-1350)". 2006 (CONS. VEN. 945.31 c SAM).
"Venezia - Senato. Deliberazioni miste. Registro XVIII (1339-1340)". 2005 (CONS. VEN. 945.31 c SAM).
"Venezia - Senato. Deliberazioni miste. Registro XIX (1340-1341)". 2004 (CONS. VEN. 945.31 c SAM).
Links to finding aids
Published finding aids:
Author of the description
Kevin Soares, 2022
Bibliography
Published primary sources
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