Borders and the Politics of Space in Late Medieval Italy: Milan, Venice, and their Territories

Space matters, and borders are central to this reality. This book explores how borders were understood, made, and encountered at the end of the Middle Ages and what they can tell us about the spatial fabric of society at the threshold of modernity. It shows that pre-modern borders were not fuzzy lines, that border-making was rarely a top-down process, and that space was shaped by communities far more than states.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Space holds immense significance in shaping our history, influencing our daily lives, and often determining our capabilities. Borders play a central role in this reality, serving as both tools and symbols of separation, power, and identity. They bring people together, fostering connections and distinctions simultaneously. This book delves into the understanding, creation, and encounters of borders during the late Middle Ages, shedding light on the spatial fabric of society at the threshold of modernity. It challenges the notion of pre-modern borders as hazy and undefined, emphasizing that border-making was a collaborative endeavor rather than a top-down process. Moreover, it highlights the significant role played by communities rather than states in shaping the spatial landscape during this period.

At the heart of Borders and the Politics of Space in Late Medieval Italy lies the account of a frontier that would define the Italian peninsula for centuries, separating the territories of the Duchy of Milan and the Republic of Venice. However, this book extends beyond its geographical boundaries, exploring how rulers and subjects alike defined spaces that they could claim as their own. Luca Zenobi employs a diverse range of methods from various disciplines, drawing evidence from twenty different libraries and archives, including theoretical treatises, pragmatic records, written chronicles, cartographic visualizations, private documents, and official correspondence. The cast of characters in this narrative is equally eclectic, encompassing influential thinkers, pragmatic statesmen, passionate factions, clumsy bureaucrats, destitute beggars, and ambitious princes. Their stories intersect on the border, revealing their interconnectedness and contributions to a shared history.

In conclusion, space matters profoundly in shaping our world, and borders play a central role in defining and navigating the boundaries between different communities and regions. This book offers a valuable exploration of the understanding, creation, and encounters of borders during the late Middle Ages, shedding light on the spatial fabric of society at the threshold of modernity. By examining the diverse perspectives and experiences of rulers, subjects, and communities, it provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the complexities and dynamics of the past.

Dimension: 216 x 135 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198876861