UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB

FACULTY OF HUJMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

THE POSTGRADUATE DOCTORAL STUDY IN PRE-MODERN HISTORY
ACADEMIC YEAR: 2023/2024

COMPARISON OF STATUS OF ARTISANS OF ŠIBENIK

AND EASTERN ITALIAN COMMUNES IN THE 15TH
CENTURY

SVEN LONČAR

Zagreb, November 11th 2023

 INTRODUCTION
• Basis - doctoral thesis The artisans in the economy and society of Šibenik in the
15th century.
• 1409 – Dalmatian coast is sold to the Venetian Republic by Ladislaus of Naples
for 100 000 ducats.
• Huge shift in territorial and political aspects of Dalmatian communes, as well as
those on the other side of the Adriatic.
• Stato da Mar – centralization of state economy, fiscal economism – interference
with communal autonomy.
• Artisans – belonging to populi, emancipation through fraternities – rich populus.
 ARTISANS IN ŠIBENIK
• Majority hailing from Šibenik, followed by its’ district, other Dalmatian
communes (Zadar, Split) and eastern Italian communes (Venice, Ancona).
• Extremely involved in communal everyday life – authors of numerous
documents (testimonies, contracts and inventories).
• Witnesses in others’ documents.
• Owners of houses and land.
• St Mary’s fraternity – 222 artisans, patricians members as well.
• Some professions earned more money, making it possible to ascend on the
hierarchical scale (ie. Stonemakers – intense construction in the 15th century).
• Limited export of their products- exported mostly onto local market
• Additional means of profit – trade and agriculture.
 ARTISANS IN EASTERN ITALIAN
COMMUNES
• Reccanati – wool industry, shoemakers fraternity, strong ties with
traders – political strength, hospital.
• Marche – soap production, communes were mostly used for the
export of artisanal material of greater quality from other regions, eg.
wool from Tuscany – port of Ancona.
 SIMILARITIES
• Belonging to populus.
• Members of fraternities.
• Problems – material availability, limited export.
 DIFFERENCES
• Differences in the amount of salary – „rich” and „poor” professions.
• Scarse information about artisans on the opposite side of the Adriatic.
• Dowries, clothing, nutrition… - they all differ depending on a
commune.
 SUMMARY
• Artisans represented a very important part of communal society.
 Šibenik – St James’ Cathedral

Source: Josip Kolanović, Šibenik u kasnome srednjem

vijeku, Zagreb: Školska knjiga, 1995, p 288
Questions, comments?
Thank you!