Venetian Marriage. The history of the state through women’s destinies.
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The women of Venice had enormous weight and influence both on the course of the historical events of their Republic and, on a familial scale, on their husbands. Veronica Franco, Caterina Cornaro, Helena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscapia, Bianca Cappello are at the summit of the local Olympus; besides, the annals of Venice are full of a great number of other outstanding, brilliant ladies.
By the way, in 1681 in the city were printed gambling cards (54 cards in a deck) with illustrations of episodes in the lives of famous Venetian women. Notice, the cards were not with erotic subjects, which would be easy to assume. On the contrary, with shrewdness and observation, with reverence and somewhere with subservience, they were dedicated to other qualities of ladies: the ace of spades was marked with the image of Caterina Cornaro, the five of spades was allotted to Elizabeth Querini Stampalia, etc. How did some of the above women become so influential, gained such a prominent position in society – personal freedom and economic independence? What is the secret of their enterprise and success?
Let’s start with the traditional (and defining, fundamental) moment in a woman’s destiny, the period (period – not moment, or they would not have had time to become influential) of marriage, usually at the age of 14-16 years.
The choice of the bride, the wedding ritual consisting of 6 stages, the list of dowry and other details and components of this important process are interesting.
We will not reveal all the cards here, but believe me, the experience and traditions of Venetian society in guaranteeing women their rights deserves attention and a separate itinerary.
The history of the state through women’s destinies – this is something you have never heard before.
