In recent times, the history of feudal nobility has experienced a renewed historiographic interest, mainly sparked by new readings and methodological perspectives marked by interdisciplinary approaches. Such an investigation, far from being limited to the field of mere prosopographical description, can also prove useful in evaluating the historical processes, the social mechanisms and the politico-institutional systems peculiar to the context where the feudal nobility operated. In this sense, the current contribution aims at retracing the history of one of the Kingdom’s most influential families of French origin, the Del Balzo (with reference to the line which settled in the Terra d’Otranto), and its several branches, including the most renowned one, the Del Balzo Orsini. Besides allowing for an in-depth analysis of the political dynamics of the Angevin-Aragonese Mezzogiorno, the history of the family represents an interesting case study to investigate the strategies implemented by the main dynasties of the Kingdom in order to strengthen their power, expand their sphere of influence and gain economic advantage and preeminent positions. The Del Balzo case is also enlightening to explore management models of seignorial power over men and lands part of the feudal domains.
Strategie familiari, ambizioni di preminenza e gestione del potere. L’esempio dei Del Balzo in Terra d’Otranto (secc. XIV-XV)
Luciana Petracca
2022-01-01
Abstract
In recent times, the history of feudal nobility has experienced a renewed historiographic interest, mainly sparked by new readings and methodological perspectives marked by interdisciplinary approaches. Such an investigation, far from being limited to the field of mere prosopographical description, can also prove useful in evaluating the historical processes, the social mechanisms and the politico-institutional systems peculiar to the context where the feudal nobility operated. In this sense, the current contribution aims at retracing the history of one of the Kingdom’s most influential families of French origin, the Del Balzo (with reference to the line which settled in the Terra d’Otranto), and its several branches, including the most renowned one, the Del Balzo Orsini. Besides allowing for an in-depth analysis of the political dynamics of the Angevin-Aragonese Mezzogiorno, the history of the family represents an interesting case study to investigate the strategies implemented by the main dynasties of the Kingdom in order to strengthen their power, expand their sphere of influence and gain economic advantage and preeminent positions. The Del Balzo case is also enlightening to explore management models of seignorial power over men and lands part of the feudal domains.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
