From serfs to officials: freeing social promotion and political career following Raimondo della Torre; patriarch of Aquileia (1273-1299)

Abstract

Since 1274, castle lords of Friuli (Northern Italy) remitted an increasing number of serfs (“servi di masnada”) to the Church of Aquileia. What has been changed with regard to the past? The installation of Raimondo della Torre in the patriarchal see drove to a turning-point the society of Friuli by encouraging the donation of serfs and their freeing. The serfs given to the Church of Aquileia received the freedom by Raimondo during a public ceremony. They could improve their living conditions becoming ministry officials (“ministeriali”) and even obtain feudal investitures. Other officials and loyal supporters of Raimondo’s policies of Milanese and Lombard origin also installed themselves in the patriarchate, melting with local élites: they soon became castaldos, podestàs and captains, and held various other public charges. Altogether, the society of Friuli had been dramatically changed by the ruling of the patriarch Raimondo, and in particular by the practise of freeing the serfs, which will continue after his death.