The relationship between the bishop and the cathedral chapter in light of institutional changes in the communal era: Two examples from the Istrian Peninsula

The second half of the 12th and the 13th century witnessed great institutional changes in Istrian towns due to the formation of communal government. This process, well-known in the Italian environment, included a certain degree of conflicts of interest with the local bishops. Two examples from Istr...

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Main Author: Ana Jenko Kovačič
Format: Article
Language:Spanish
Published: Universidad Complutense de Madrid 2022-04-01
Series:En la España Medieval
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/ELEM/article/view/81437
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author Ana Jenko Kovačič
author_facet Ana Jenko Kovačič
author_sort Ana Jenko Kovačič
collection DOAJ
description The second half of the 12th and the 13th century witnessed great institutional changes in Istrian towns due to the formation of communal government. This process, well-known in the Italian environment, included a certain degree of conflicts of interest with the local bishops. Two examples from Istria, namely the cities of Trieste and Poreč (Parenzo), lend themselves to interesting research. The bishops of Trieste, who held the public authority within the city walls from the mid-10th century onwards, presented a direct obstacle to the commune on its way towards complete autonomy. On the other hand, the bishops in Poreč understood the territory of the city district as the bishopric’s property. Their aspirations, which were based on the forged Privilegium Eufrasianum, also included fiscal and juridical powers and thus posed a problem for the communal development. Communes finally overcame both specific local situations; however, it is interesting to note that the reactions of the cathedral chapters differed greatly. Members of the chapter in Poreč stood by the bishop in his fight against the commune, which was backed by the power of Venice. Their counterparts in Trieste, though not so actively involved in the shift of the public power in the city, can eventually be regarded as the commune’s allies. The reasons for such different responses can be found not only in the practical, financial aspects, but also in the different relations within the bishopric in the previous centuries. Although cathedral chapters were not directly involved in the conflict and in the institutional changes per se, research into the relationship between chapters and bishops can provide an insight into bishoprics’ internal mechanisms that set the foundations for the late medieval and early modern period.
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spelling doaj.art-30556930a83f497496644d939878b5292022-12-22T02:00:05ZspaUniversidad Complutense de MadridEn la España Medieval0214-30381988-29712022-04-014510.5209/elem.81437The relationship between the bishop and the cathedral chapter in light of institutional changes in the communal era: Two examples from the Istrian PeninsulaAna Jenko Kovačič The second half of the 12th and the 13th century witnessed great institutional changes in Istrian towns due to the formation of communal government. This process, well-known in the Italian environment, included a certain degree of conflicts of interest with the local bishops. Two examples from Istria, namely the cities of Trieste and Poreč (Parenzo), lend themselves to interesting research. The bishops of Trieste, who held the public authority within the city walls from the mid-10th century onwards, presented a direct obstacle to the commune on its way towards complete autonomy. On the other hand, the bishops in Poreč understood the territory of the city district as the bishopric’s property. Their aspirations, which were based on the forged Privilegium Eufrasianum, also included fiscal and juridical powers and thus posed a problem for the communal development. Communes finally overcame both specific local situations; however, it is interesting to note that the reactions of the cathedral chapters differed greatly. Members of the chapter in Poreč stood by the bishop in his fight against the commune, which was backed by the power of Venice. Their counterparts in Trieste, though not so actively involved in the shift of the public power in the city, can eventually be regarded as the commune’s allies. The reasons for such different responses can be found not only in the practical, financial aspects, but also in the different relations within the bishopric in the previous centuries. Although cathedral chapters were not directly involved in the conflict and in the institutional changes per se, research into the relationship between chapters and bishops can provide an insight into bishoprics’ internal mechanisms that set the foundations for the late medieval and early modern period. https://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/ELEM/article/view/81437IstriaMiddle Agescathedral chaptercommunebishop
spellingShingle Ana Jenko Kovačič
The relationship between the bishop and the cathedral chapter in light of institutional changes in the communal era: Two examples from the Istrian Peninsula
En la España Medieval
Istria
Middle Ages
cathedral chapter
commune
bishop
title The relationship between the bishop and the cathedral chapter in light of institutional changes in the communal era: Two examples from the Istrian Peninsula
title_full The relationship between the bishop and the cathedral chapter in light of institutional changes in the communal era: Two examples from the Istrian Peninsula
title_fullStr The relationship between the bishop and the cathedral chapter in light of institutional changes in the communal era: Two examples from the Istrian Peninsula
title_full_unstemmed The relationship between the bishop and the cathedral chapter in light of institutional changes in the communal era: Two examples from the Istrian Peninsula
title_short The relationship between the bishop and the cathedral chapter in light of institutional changes in the communal era: Two examples from the Istrian Peninsula
title_sort relationship between the bishop and the cathedral chapter in light of institutional changes in the communal era two examples from the istrian peninsula
topic Istria
Middle Ages
cathedral chapter
commune
bishop
url https://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/ELEM/article/view/81437
work_keys_str_mv AT anajenkokovacic therelationshipbetweenthebishopandthecathedralchapterinlightofinstitutionalchangesinthecommunaleratwoexamplesfromtheistrianpeninsula
AT anajenkokovacic relationshipbetweenthebishopandthecathedralchapterinlightofinstitutionalchangesinthecommunaleratwoexamplesfromtheistrianpeninsula