The Revolt of Snowballs: Murano Confronts Venice, 1511

Description

The Revolt of Snowballs unpicks a rare and turbulent event which occurred in 1511 and investigates the meaning behind it. On January 27, 1511, the island of Murano was the scene of an exceptional event during which the representative of Venice, exercising power in the island on behalf of the Serenissima, was hunted by the inhabitants under a shower of snowballs and the sound of a hostile clamour. This book uses microhistory techniques to examine the trial records of the incident and explores the lives of the Murano’s inhabitants at its heart. The book begins by providing a detailed introduction to life in Murano during the sixteenth century, including its political framework and the relationship it shared with Venice. Against this context, the political skills of Murano’s inhabitants are considered and key questions regarding political action are posed, including why and how people chose to protest, what sense of justice drove their actions, and what form those actions took. The latter half of the book charts the events that followed the revolt of snowballs, including the inquest and its impact on Murano’s society. By putting Murano under the microscope, The Revolt of Snowballs provides a window into the cultural and political world of early modern Italy, and is essential reading for historians of revolt and microhistory more broadly. Cover Title Copyright Contents Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations and comments Murano in the sixteenth century Introduction 1 The island of Murano Glass and gardens Glassworkers and fishermen Insularity and community From Murano to Venice: the traghetto 2 Murano’s political community and Venice The political space of the Lagoon A community of risk A shared fragile space The law of the podestà Citizens and Muranesi officials The participation of the people 3 A tottering ritual Ritual politics The theatre of society Chase off this dog that has ruined Muran! 4 The revolt in its time Italy at war Noise of conflict The great cold “Semel in anno licet insanire.” “Once a year it is permissible to get crazy.” Vitale Vitturi 5 The sense of justice Justice Law Coercion Tribunal 6 The accused Before the judges Antonio Malcanton, public crier Scandal 7 Political actions, political intentions The appropriation of ritual The performance of the revolt Making politics Political acknowledgement and juridical status To vote and elect 8 The trial: A test of truth and persons Reconstructing the truths Denunciations “Io sum per neve.” “I am there for the snow.” On justification Return to Murano After the revolt Conclusion Bibliography Index