Chio dei Maonesi sulla fine del Trecento (dagli Atti del notaio Donato di Chiavari)

Abstract

The deeds executed by the notary Donato di Chiavari, between February 17th and November 12th 1394, form the main sources we have about the inner history of the island at the end of the XIVth century. They offer an interesting idea of the economic life of Chio, which established commercial links with Genova, Spain, South Italy, Alexandria in Egypt, the island of Cyprus, Tripoli in Syria, Teologo, Crete, Rhodes, the islands of the Aegean Sea and establishments in Pera - by people from Genova. It involves the importing and exporting of a great variety of products, notably the export of resin, which is one of the main resources of the island. Our source suggests that the work-force in Chio mainly consisted of emigrants from Genova and Liguria (which is logical as the deeds were drawn-up by a lawyer from Liguria). Bue we also find other Westerners, as well as people from areas controlled by Genova in Orient, like Famagosta, Pera and Caffa, for instance. It is also remarkable to find Hebrews, integrated, with good perspectives in the local society, while Greeks are less numerous (but this is maybe by chance). Moreover, we draw from the deeds of the notary Donato di Chiavari some useful information about the structure of the Chio administration whose highest leaders, with whom many civil servants worked, were: the vicar di podestà, the gubernatores, the treasurers, the extimatores, etc. There is no lack of allusions to specific Officia chat worked on the island. We find an example in the Officium provisionis grani civitatis Syi, whose officiales are both Latins (more precisely from Genova) and Greeks.