Confession and Criminal Justice in Late Medieval Italy: Siena, 1260-1330

In medieval Italy, revenge as criminal justice was popular, but crime was perceived as a public matter. Confession and Criminal Justice in Late Medieval Italy explores this contradiction by comparing lay and religious sources from 1260 to 1330. It argues that religious people were an effective pressure group with regards to criminal justice, and that their contributions have not received the attention they deserve. Three models of criminal justice were present in medieval Italian communes, with the addition of a specifically religious discourse based on penitential spirituality.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 256 pages
\n Publication date: 27 August 2021
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press
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In medieval Italy, the practice of seeking revenge as a form of criminal justice remained prevalent among individuals from all social strata, while the perception of crime as a public concern rather than a private matter began to gain traction. Confession and Criminal Justice in Late Medieval Italy delves into this dichotomy by examining a comprehensive range of lay and religious sources originating in Siena between 1260 and 1330. Through an in-depth comparison of these sources, the book argues that religious individuals played a significant role as a powerful pressure group in matters of criminal justice. This influence stemmed from their production of literary works and active involvement in political affairs. However, their contributions have often been overlooked or underestimated.

The book demonstrates that the traditional distinction between private and public justice theories should be replaced by a framework that recognizes three distinct models of criminal justice in medieval Italian communes. In addition to these, it acknowledges the presence of a specifically religious discourse rooted in penitential spirituality. While these models may have competed with each other, they also exerted influence on one another.

Confession and Criminal Justice in Late Medieval Italy offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of criminal justice and the role of religious individuals in shaping it during this period. It sheds light on the interplay between religious beliefs, social structures, and legal practices and contributes to our understanding of medieval society. This book is a valuable resource for scholars and students interested in medieval history, legal studies, and religious history.

\n Weight: 352g\n
Dimension: 145 x 223 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780192844866\n \n