Absolutism in Renaissance Milan : plenitude of power under the Visconti and the Sforza ; 1329-1535

## Abstract This volume charts the rise and decline of absolutism in Milan from the early fourteenth to the early sixteenth century. The study shows how authority above the law, once the preserve of pope and emperor, was claimed by the ruling Milanese dynasties, the Visconti and the Sforza, and why this privilege was finally abandoned by Francesco II Sforza (d. 1535), the last duke. As new rulers, the Visconti and the Sforza had had to impose their regime by rewarding supporters at the expense of opponents. That process required absolute power (also known as plenitude of power), meaning the capacity to laws and the rights of subjects, including titles to property. The basis for such power reflected the changing status of Milanese rulers, first as signori and then as dukes. Contemporary lawyers were at first prepared to overturn established doctrines in support of the free use of absolute power: even Baldo degli Ubaldi accepted the latest teaching. But eventually lawyers regretted the new approach, reasserting the traditional principle that laws could not be set aside without compelling justification. The Visconti and the Sforza also saw the dangers of absolute power: as legitimate princes they were meant to champion law and justice, not condone arbitrary acts that disregarded basic rights. Black traces the application of plenitude of power in day‐to‐day government, and demonstrates how the rulers of Milan kept pace with the initial acceptance and subsequent rejection by lawyers of the concept of absolute power. Absolutism in Renaissance Milan shows how authority above the law, once the preserve of pope and emperor, was claimed by the ruling Milanese dynasties, the Visconti and the Sforza, and why this privilege was finally abandoned by Francesco II Sforza (d. 1535), the last duke. As new rulers, the Visconti and the Sforza had had to impose their regime by rewarding supporters at the expense of opponents. That process required absolute power, also known as "plenitude of power," meaning the capacity to overrule even fundamental laws and rights, including titles to property. The basis for such power reflected the changing status of Milanese rulers, first as signori and then as dukes. Contemporary lawyers, schooled in the sanctity of fundamental laws, were at first prepared to overturn established doctrines in support of the free use of absolute power: even the leading jurist of the day, Baldo degli Ubaldi (d. 1400), accepted the new teaching. However, lawyers came eventually to regret the new approach and to reassert the principle that laws could not be set aside without compelling justification. The Visconti and the Sforza too saw the dangers of absolute power: as legitimate princes they were meant to champion law and justice, not condone arbitrary acts that disregarded basic rights. Jane Black traces these developments in Milan over the course of two centuries, showing how the Visconti and Sforza regimes seized, exploited and finally relinquished absolute power. Jane Black Shows How Authority Above The Law, Once The Preserve Of Pope And Emperor, Was Seized, Exploited, And Eventually Relinquished, By The Ruling Milanese Dynasties. Lawyers Supported The Free Use Of Absolute Power At First, But Both Sides Realised That Society Could Not Function Unless Property And Other Rights Were Respected. Rulers Of Milan, 1287-1535 -- Plenitude Of Power : Absolutism In The Middle Ages -- The Early Visconti And The Claim To Plenitude Of Power -- Giangaleazzo's Investiture And Its Legacy -- Lawyers And The Absolute Powers Of The Duke -- Plenitude Of Power In Practice : Preserving Justice While Infringing Rights -- Lawyers And The Repudiation Of Ducal Absolutism -- The Surrender Of Absolute Power In Milan -- Appendix 1: Certa Scientia, Non Obstante, Motu Proprio -- Appendix 2: Plenitude Of Power And Iura Reservata. Jane Black. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.