engleski

Integration of Immigrants among the Dalmatian Nobility before the Mid-14th Century

The elites of the cities of northern and central mainland Dalmatia – Zadar, Trogir, and Split, claiming the origin in the Antiquity, and in some cases with genealogical ties stretching at least to the tenth and eleventh centuries, constantly demanded “fresh blood” in order to be able to sustain their existence. The immigrant families who can be identified as such in the sources came already as an accepted elite in their communities of origin, whether of Croatian, Venetian, or some other background. As being already members of an elite, regardless of their origin, helped by their wealth and acquiring landed property in the district, they integrated quickly into the circle of the Dalmatian urban elite, using the marriages with the “old” elite. The offspring of these marriages was guaranteed places in the Great Council, membership in which was mandatory for recognizing of noble status since the first half of the fourteenth century. On the other hand the political support of structures of power from outside, whether by the Croatian magnates or Venetian government, did not play important role in the acceptance of the immigrants by the old elite nor could influence the creation of the noble standing of urban families.

Dalmatia, Middle Ages, immigration, urban elite, nobility

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