- Chapter 2: Wine and Victory -
By the turn of the century, the Republic of Venice was the dominant trading power in the Mediterranean Sea. Most of the trade routes east of Italy; the Adriatic Sea – the Aegean Sea – the Black Sea, were under firm Venetian control. With possessions in the Aegean Sea and Crete, she had naval bases to support merchant shipping and prevent rivals from effectively entering the market. In contrast Genoa operated the areas west of Genoa, primarily the Kingdom of Aragon as well as Sardinia and Sicily. Much of northern Europe was in firm control of the German Hanseatic League based in Lübeck. At least the former maritime republics of Amalfi and Pisa had been subdued and were no longer an immediate concern.
Doge Antonio Adorno, a brilliant magistrate with a knack of running a smooth administration, had been glancing over reports, ledgers and maps. Recently elected to office for a term of 4 years, Antonio was interested in accumulating personal wealth, but also had great ambitions for the Republic. The position of doge was more that of a caretaker than a despot – actually since the early days Genoese merchants (the ruling class of the city-state and of most Italian cities) had despised monarchs and other rulers, who had absolute powers. It was usually not good for business. However the doge could influence the council and set the agenda. And as long as the Republic’s ambitions coincided with the merchants, Antonio knew he could get their support.
Antonio Adorno belonged to an extremely wealthy Genoese family who played a major role in the history of the Republic of Genoa and in Italy. The dynasty had been founded by Simon Adorno who lived in the late 12th century and was an admiral of the Genoese in the crusader's assault against Saint Jean d'Acre.
The Venetians were considered the primary competitor. Their merchants were to be found all over the Mediterranean Basin de facto owned the Western part of it. A multitude of goods were bought and sold in Venice; cloth from Dalmatia, grain from Hungary and Bohemia, salt from the Alps, wine from Greece and southern Italy, iron from the Balkans, fish from the Adriatic Sea. In addition to the income of the merchants and taxes levied on the trade activities, Venice also controlled several precious metal mines, making them capable of minting to a much greater capacity than Genoa.
A mere shadow of the republic of the 12-13th century, Genoa had reduced to a trade hub for the surrounding Italian nations, the islands of Sicily and Sardinia and first and foremost the Kingdom of Aragon in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. Limited trade took place with the colonies in the Black Coast and in northern Africa. However having scrutinized the available data, Antonio had come to the conclusion that Genoa, thanks to Aragon and northern Italy, depended primarily on wine trading controlling 1/3 of the known world trade. Copper from Sardinia also provided the trade league with a dominant position.
Examples of gold coins used in Medieval Italy.
The first thing to do would be to seek out new members for the trade league. Antonio drafted a list of possible and preferred future member states. The Burgundian, French, Castilian and Portuguese kingdoms each had their own centers of trade so unlikely to join. England was too far away. Most of the myriads of states of the Holy Roman Empire were trading through the Hanseatic League. Gradually the list grew shorter, but nevertheless there were still potential for growth. A few days later the first specially created ‘trade mission’-ambassador was instructed by the doge and sent out. The doge happy having set things in motion returned to his office where he prepared for the presentation of his plan to the
Minor Council.
"Honorable members of the council, behold the map and you will see clearly where we can expect to expand our activities. The wheels have been set in motion and the first step in restoring Liguria as the most powerful trade league." Adorno pointed towards a large map hung from the ceiling, showing Europe. A number of circles and annotations had been made, mostly in France and northern Africa.
"Although the French king is unlikely to join us, many of his vassals could be persuaded to do so. We are also speaking to a number of smaller German states that are at the outer reaches of the Hansa. I am happy to inform you that Switzerland has already decide to put pen to paper and I hold here their acceptance into our brotherhood." The council members cheered and then broke into discussions between them.
The Minor Council in 1399 consisted of six special advisors to the doge and the Quarantia (Council of 40) and was the executive body of the government. The Great Council included over 400 members from the most prominent and influential families, but was rarely assembled.
"Furthermore, I believe there is also a medium term opportunity to develop trade in northern Africa – as you know we try to maintain good standing with the Holy See and rumors are that His Holiness will call for a crusade in a short time. We shall remain ready for such an eventuality."
However despite the initial success of securing Switzerland’s trade, albeit modest in volume, the hawkish fraction of the merchants were unhappy with the plan. Headed by
Marchese Cattaneo, they called for direct action against the supremacy of Venice, which was always a very popular opinion amongst large parts of Genoa’s population. In order to get the needed backing to carry out his plan, a warship-building program was drafted – however much of the investment was deferred at the doge’s discretion.
As the war in Crimea was raging, the Papal States had become embroiled in a conflict over the control of the duchy of Urbino. This ultimately led to a full-scale against Naples, Provence (ruled by the Neapolitan king) and her ally Ferrara. The Holy See called upon Genoa according to the existing military alliance. Outnumbered but at sea and on land, and still recovering from the failed expedition in Kaffa, Genoa was in no position to offer much military assistance. Once again, not unlike 1355, the king of Milan intervened on Genoa’s side and with backing of the Milanese the Genoese alliance launched a counter-offensive into Naples proper. As Naples called upon their ally Tuscany, Genoa also drew Sicily into the war.
In October 1404 the High Council was united to elect their next doge and Francesco Cattaneo, who had military experience, garnered the majority of the votes. Cattaneo himself took control of the armies and led the Genoese to victory.
The decisive battle took place on the knolly terrain north the city of Nola, outside Napoli during the spring of 1404. The Neapolitans marched from Apulia towards the besieging armies of the Papacy. Genoese troops in Abruzzi had been force marching and arrived just in time, outflanking the enemy (in the background) resulting in a crushing victory.
At sea the strong Neapolitan navy managed to fight off the divided Genoese, Sicilian and Milanese fleets, but was eventually defeated off Sardinia’s coast. In February 1405 the king of Naples accepted peace with the Genoese-led alliance (Tuscany had already in 1404 surrendered unconditionally and had become a vassal). At the Treaty of Rome the southern Italians agreed to join the Liguria trade league, which was seen as a blow to the Venetians but cause for much jubilation in Genoa.
Five years into the plan initially devised by Adorno, results were starting to show. A number of French duchies and a few German kingdoms had decided to become part of the growing Liguria trade league. Also helped by the considerable Neapolitan trade Genoa’s market places now generated app. 912 thousands of ducats annually against 940.000 in Venice. Genoese traders had also been focusing on securing exclusive rights to wine trading in Italy and Spain and by 1406 app. 2/3 of all wine sales took place through Genoese markets. The decision to focus on wine trade seemed to pay off well, as prices had risen 50% and demand continued to soar.
The combination of weather and soil in Italy and Spain creates the optimal conditions for cultivating grapes. The Iberian Peninsula alone produced 45% of all wine by 1410. The port of Valencia became famous for exporting enormous quantities of barrels and was given the name the “Port of Grapes’ for centuries to come.
Although somewhat later than hoped, the Pope finally called upon Christian states for crusade against the Muslim Sheikdom of Tripolitania. The underlining reason was an event, which was referred to as the
Tripoli Vespers of 1408 – social unrest had led to the slaying of 200 people belonging to the Christian minority. The Castilian king had long been eying Northern Africa as a springboard for his Mediterranean ambitions, and since the Holy See had been financially supported by Castile, the killing came as the perfect excuse for war.
For 2 days an angry mob chased and killed any Christian they could find inside the city of Tripoli. The Sheik did not intervene until the third day leaving over 200 women, children and men dead in the streets.
Doge Cattaneo was not long to react and raised a crusader army, which was quickly able to subdue Africa resistance. However neighbouring Algiers and Morocco, two large Muslim states, came to the aid of Tripolitania. Eventually the Christian armies, made up by Portugal and Castile as well as the Genoese-alliance containing the Papal States, Sicily and Tuscany, overpowered the Muslim states. Genoa secured two provinces, Gabes to the west and Cyrenaica in the east, bordering the Malmeluks. In addition Morocco was also forced to join the Liga Liguria, opening up for the vast wool markets.
Catteno, having secured a 2nd term in office, returned back to Genoa in 1410 with the victorious crusader army and held a two-day triumph and festivities not unlike those of the days the antique Roman Republic.
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Notes/Comments:
*) Although the Genoese Trade League has increased in number of members, some of these are still trading through Venice – how is this possible?
*) Next update by the coming weekend