History of Venice from 1173 to 1204

1173

Construction of the first fixed bridge over the Rialto. It is made of wood. Until 1854, it will be the only bridge crossing the Grand Canal in Venice.

1174

The Republic of Venice leaves the Lombard League, which had been created in 1157 against Frederick Barbarossa, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

Renovation of the church of San Geremia in Cannaregio and construction of its Bell Tower.

1178

Change in the rules for the election of the Doge.

From now on, the Maggior Consiglio (Grand Council) will elect four persons, who will then choose 40 to be responsible for electing the future Doge.

That same year, the Minor Consiglio (the small council) was established, consisting of nobles, elected for one year and responsible for assisting and also overseeing the Doge in his decisions.

12 April 1178

Abdication of Doge Sebastiano Zani.
Orio Mastropiero became the fortieth Doge of Venice on 17 April 1178, remaining in office until 1 June 1192.

1179

Creation of the Quarantia or Consiglio dei XL (Council of Forty). Its members are elected for one year by the Grand Council.

Its members were responsible for managing the republic's finances, but this council of forty also had judicial powers in cases of offences against social order or the republic.

1187

Creation of the Avogadori di Comun (lawyers of the commune and public ministers). They are responsible for protecting the interests of the republic, primarily in criminal cases, but also in some civil cases.

Its members are elected for one year by the Grand Council.

1189

The new Basileus of Constantinople, Isacco Angelo Comneno, signs a new Chrysobull (golden bull) in favour of Venice.

This stipulates that seized goods will be returned in exchange for compensation and that the Republic's commercial privileges will be restored.

This new golden bull also allowed the Venetians to have their own militia in Constantinople.

New Crusade

A third crusade is decided upon by Pope Gregory VIII with the help of the King of France, Philip II Augustus, the King of England, Richard the Lionheart, and the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa (who died a year later in 1190).

1192

Doge Orio Mastropiero abdicated and a new doge, Enrico Dandolo, was elected on 21 June 1192.

1202

Pope Innocent III launches the Fourth Crusade to liberate Jerusalem, which allows Venice to take advantage of the situation to negotiate a very advantageous agreement by providing ships and crews in exchange for a considerable share of the spoils to be obtained after the conquests.

1203

The Crusaders capture Zara, which had rebelled against Venice, and on 17 July 1203, they conquer Constantinople.

1204

A conspiracy led by Alessio V deposed the Basileus Isacco and attacked the Crusaders in Constantinople.

Led by Doge Dandolo, the Crusaders resisted and, after several assaults, succeeded in conquering Constantinople on 13 April 1204.

The fall of Constantinople served as the venue for widespread looting and pillaging, including in homes and churches, culminating in the desecration of the basilica, where the altar was destroyed and ciboria and other religious artefacts had their precious stones ripped out.

In addition to this material destruction, most of the women in the city were raped.

The Venetians took the most valuable items back home with them, and the French did the same, as the Sainte Chapel was built in Paris to house the relics stolen from the basilica and churches of Constantinople.

Under the terms of the original treaty and in light of recent events, Doge Dandolo obtained from the Crusaders that a quarter of the territories of Constantinople would become Venetian. Doge Dandolo appointed Marino Zeno as podestà of the part of Constantinople that had become Venetian and ordered him to send part of the Venetian booty to Venice.

This booty includes the precious stones that adorn the Pala d'Oro in St. Mark's Basilica, a large part of the relics from the treasure of St. Mark and the four gilded bronze horses from the basilica.

Important dates 1000 BC-799 | 800-999 | 1000-1099 | 1100-1130 | 1131-1170 | 1171-1172 | 1173-1204 |
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