RRR: Confirmation/renewal of grants
220
year: 1124
initiator: Patriarch Warmund of Jerusalem, together with his suffragan bishops, Wilelmus de Buris constabularius, Paganus cancellarius and the barones of the kingdom of Jerusalem
recipient: Venetians
text: Jan. 20 – Feb. 15. Acre. With King Baldwin II imprisoned by Balac princeps Parthorum paganorum [Balik ruler of Aleppo], and Doge Dominicus Michael [Domenico Michiel] with a large Venetian fleet and army in the kingdom of Jerusalem after defeating the Egyptian fleet off the coast of Ascalon, Patriarch Warmund of Jerusalem, together with his suffragan bishops, Willelmus de Buris constabularius, Paganus cancellarius and the barones of the kingdom of Jerusalem, met in the church of the Holy Cross in Acre to consider and affirm the commitments that King Baldwin had made to the Venetians in writing and by messengers. All the barones, whose names are written below, have confirmed by oath on the Gospels the terms of the agreement that follow. In all cities in the kingdom, whether in the royal domain or belonging to the barones, the Venetians are to have a church, an entire ruga, a platea, with or without a bath house [balnea], and an oven, free from impositions and by hereditary right. Their platea in Jerusalem is to be as much their own as the king’s property is his. If the Venetians wish in relation to cooking, milling or washing in their oven, mill or bath house in their vicus in Acre to use their own modii et buzae [weights and measures] for measuring wine, oil or honey they may do so, just as the king in his property. The Venetians’ use of weights and measures should be as follows [modiorum statere atque buze mensuris hoc modo uti liceat]. The Venetians can use the measures in dealings with fellow Venetians and when they sell to others, but when they engage in trade (commercium) with foreigners [gentes extranei] they ought to use royal measures. Venetians will pay no dues on entering, leaving, remaining, buying and exchanging, except when they bring pilgrims, when, according to custom, they will pay a third part [tercia pars] to the king. The king and barons agree to pay the Venetians annually on the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul the sum of 300 Saracen besants with respect to the funda of Tyre. They promise to demand no more than is customary from the people who negotiate with the Venetians. The limits of the Venetians’ quarter [platea rugaque] in Acre, which King Baldwin I gave Doge Ordelaffo [Falier] after the seizure of Sidon, are defined as stretching from the mansio of Petrus Zannus to the monastery of St Demetrius and including a machomaria and 2 lapideae mansiones [stone-built], where once there were reed huts [quᶒ quondam casule de cannis esse solebant]. The other side [of the quarter] stretches in a direct line from the house of Bernardus de Nouo Castello, which once belonged to Johannes Julianus, as far as the house of G[uibertus de] Iopen generi Lande. The Venetians throughout the kingdom, whether royal domain or the land of the barons, can enter, remain or leave as freely as though they were in Venice. Pleas and litigation involving Venetians are to be settled in the Venetian court [curia Ueneticorum]. A case brought by a non-Venetian against a Venetian will be decided in the Venetian court, but a case brought by a Venetian against a non-Venetian will be decided in the royal court (curia regis). If any ordained or lay Venetian dies intestate [‘sine lingua’] his property will be at the disposal [in potestatem] of the Venetians. If any Venetian’s ship is wrecked none of his goods will be harmed. If any Venetian dies in a shipwreck his property will pass to his heirs and to other Venetians. The Venetians will have the same jurisdiction and customary rights as the king over burgesses [burgenses] of any nation [gens] living in the Venetian vicus or houses. The Venetians are promised a third part with hereditary right of the cities of Tyre and Ascalon and a third part of all lands, not in Frankish hands and held by the Muslims [saraceni] on the [next] Feast of St Peter, which the Venetians help conquer. These they will hold freely and with sovereign rights [regaliter], just as the king will have in the other two parts. Warmund promises that on his release from captivity King Baldwin will confirm this agreement, as will anyone else who succeeds to the kingdom. So will the successors of the barones and any newly made barones. Patriarch Warmund, together with the bishops, clergy, barones and people of Jerusalem, promises assistance with respect to the Venetian cause concerning Antioch [causa Antiochena], in relation to which King Baldwin had promised [to favour the Venetians], because it had already been approved by the pope. The agreement is confirmed by: Warmundus Ierosolimorum patriarcha; Ebremarus Cesariensis archiepiscopus; Bernardus Nazarenus episcopus; Asquitinus/Alquitinus Bethleemita episcopus; Rogerius Liddensis Sancti Georgii episcopus; Gildoinus/Guildoinus/Gidonius abbas Sanctᶒ Mariᶒ de Josaphat; Gerardus/Gerartius/Girardus Sancti Sepulchri prior; Aicardus/Dicardus/Alicardus prior Templi Domini; Arnaldus prior Montis Syon; Willelmus de Buris regis constabularius. The charter was drawn up by Paganus regis cancellarius.
Jan. 20 – Feb. 15. Acre. With King Baldwin II imprisoned by Balac princeps Parthorum paganorum [Balik ruler of Aleppo], and Doge Dominicus Michael [Domenico Michiel] with a large Venetian fleet and army in the kingdom of Jerusalem after defeating the Egyptian fleet off the coast of Ascalon,... more
sources: Mayer, UKJ 3:1326-37, no. 764 (RRH no. 102)
RRR: Confirmation/renewal of grants
226
year: 1125
initiator: Baldwin II
recipient: Venetians
text: May 2. Acre. Baldwin, rex Ierusalem Latinorum secundus, confirms for St Mark and Doge Domenicus Michael [Domenico Michiel] the privilege to the Venetians granted by Patriarch Warmund [Jan. 20 – Feb. 15 1124) with significant modifications. Omitted are the market privileges granted to the Venetians and the promise of assistance over the Venetian cause in Antioch. Added is the obligation of the Venetians to render military service for the parts of the cities granted to them. The charter is sealed. Confirmed by: Wermundus Ierosolimorum patriarcha; Ebremarus Cesariensis archiepiscopus; Bernardus Nazarenus episcopus; Asquitinus Bethleemita episcopus; Rogerius Liddensis episcopus. Affirmed by: Henfredus de Torrone/Corone; Guido de Miliaco; Radulfus de Fontanellis; Goffridus Tortus; Rainerius de Bruzo; Guido; Ego/Guido/Hugo Liddensis dominus; Guibertus/Guuipertus de Caypha; Gelduinus abbas Sanctᶒ Mariᶒ Vallis Iosaphat; Girardus Sancti Sepulchri prior; Accardus/Aicardus prior Templi Domini; Arnaldus prior Montis Syon; Raimundus procurator Hospitalis Ierusalem; Willelmus de Buris Tyberiadis domnus; Hugo Iopensis domnus; Walterius Brisebarre Beriti domnus; Eustachius Granerius; Romanus de Podio; Hugo de Pagano magister militum Templi. The charter was drawn up by Paganus regis Ierusalem cancellarius.
May 2. Acre. Baldwin, rex Ierusalem Latinorum secundus, confirms for St Mark and Doge Domenicus Michael [Domenico Michiel] the privilege to the Venetians granted by Patriarch Warmund [Jan. 20 – Feb. 15 1124) with significant modifications. Omitted are the market privileges granted to the Venetians... more
sources: Mayer, UKJ 1:241-7, no. 93 (RRH no. 105)
RRR: Confirmation/renewal of grants
540
year: 1153
initiator: Rainald of Châtillon, prince of Antioch, and his wife Constance
recipient: Venetians
text: May. 1-31. Rainald [of Châtillon], dei gracia Antiochenorum princeps, together with Constantia eorundem principissa, confirms under seal for Venetians crossing the borders of the principality or remaining in Antioch the consuetudines granted to them by Princes Bohemond I and II, Tancred and Raymond [of Poitiers]. At the request of the doge and Venetian senate, represented by Dominicus Bonus, the levy in Antioch of 5 besants in every 100 on silk and linen cloth and of 7 besants in the 100 on other business will be reduced to 4 and 5 respectively in every 100. The exit duty levied at the gates of Antioch of 1 besant and 8 denarii on every pack horse [somerius] and 2 and a half besants on every camel, will be reduced to 1 and 2 besants respectively. There is to be no interference with the Venetians’ use of weights [carates]. Venetian merchants will not be hindered or disturbed on account of crimes comitted by Venetians at sea or on land. If a Venetian ship is wrecked its owners will suffer no loss and may salvage the ship and everything in it. Rainald grants the Venetians the right to hold a court [curia Sancti Marci] in their funditium in Antioch and to judge their compatriots according to their laws without disturbance. The charter was drawn up by Gaufredus cancellarius principis. Witnesses: Renaldus de Margat; Garentus de Saona; Robertus filius Gaufredi; Galterius de Surda valle; Robertus filius ejus; Archenbaldinus constabularius; Hugo de Bolera; Tancredus Frenelli; Martinus de Margat; Leo Maiopoli dux, Martinus Galnus; Petrus camerarius.
May. 1-31. Rainald [of Châtillon], dei gracia Antiochenorum princeps, together with Constantia eorundem principissa, confirms under seal for Venetians crossing the borders of the principality or remaining in Antioch the consuetudines granted to them by Princes Bohemond I and II, Tancred and Raymond... more
sources: Tafel and Thomas, Urkunden Venedig 1:133-5, no. 55 (RRH no. 282)
RRR: Confirmation/renewal of grants
1133
year: 1183
initiator: Bohemond III, prince of Antioch
recipient: Venetians
text: Jun. 1 - Sept. 23. [183] Bohemond III, son of Prince Raymond, dei gratia Antiochie princeps, out of love for Orio Mastropiero, the doge of Venice, makes a sealed grant to all Venetians, represented by Jacobus Gradenicus, then vicecomes in Acre, who requested this. He assures the Venetians of security and the freedom to come and go as they please by land and by sea, and to buy and sell throughout his principality on the payment of 1 besant in every 100 received through the sale of their merchandise. Their goods will be secure in cases of shipwreck. Bohemond confirms their right to a funda. Venetians will not suffer penalty if found with women [whether wives or not]. Witnesses: Petrus de Longij/Longis; Raimundus constabularius Tripolitanus; Villielmus de monte Cornet; Richerius de Armitat/Arminat; Galterius de Artican; Villielmus de Hingueron.
Jun. 1 - Sept. 23. [183] Bohemond III, son of Prince Raymond, dei gratia Antiochie princeps, out of love for Orio Mastropiero, the doge of Venice, makes a sealed grant to all Venetians, represented by Jacobus Gradenicus, then vicecomes in Acre, who requested this. He assures the Venetians of... more
sources: Tafel and Thomas, Urkunden 1:175-7, no. 68 (RRH no. 632)
RRR: Confirmation/renewal of grants
1922
year: 1222
initiator: Iohannes de Ibelino Beriti dominus
recipient: Venetians
text: Jun. 1-31. At the request of Andreas Michaelis, the emissary of Pietro Ziani, the doge of Venice, Johannes de Ibilino Birity dominus confirms under seal that the Venetians are freed from all dues [ius et consuetudo] on all goods they import through the catena of Beirut and send to Beirut and on all merchandise they buy in the funda of Beirut. They can buy in the city of Beirut without payment of dues cotton [banbacium], silk [seta] and worked silk, pepper, incense, sugar and all spices, indigo and ‘nerçi’, and all dyes, wool and cloth [opera lana], flax and linen [opera lini], pearls and stones, glass and soap. All their vessels [vaselli] exporting merchandise from the funda and the city of Beirut are freed from the payment of terciaria and they will pay no dues on goods they export through the cathena of Beirut. All Venetian vessels are freed from the payment of ancoragia. The Venetians are granted a free curia, with cases of homicide, force and pillage reserved for the lord. Their goods will be secure in shipwreck. Venetian merchants in Beirut will not suffer if any Venetian commits piracy against Johannes or his homines. The Venetians may dispose of and send to Venice the goods of a Venetian who dies, even if he has not made a will; and in the absence of any other Venetians, Johannes will inform the doge and dispose of the goods as the doge thinks fit. Witnesses: Rainerius de Mimars; Simon Jopensis; Thomas de Retel; Girardus Leece; Tercius Breban; Climens de Gibelin; Baldoinus de Gibelin; Simon Grimaud; Mattheus de Nesin.
Jun. 1-31. At the request of Andreas Michaelis, the emissary of Pietro Ziani, the doge of Venice, Johannes de Ibilino Birity dominus confirms under seal that the Venetians are freed from all dues [ius et consuetudo] on all goods they import through the catena of Beirut and send to Beirut and on all... more
sources: Tafel and Thomas, Urkunden 2:232-4, no. 262 (RRH no. 957)