Chapter 1. Part 2 Flavor Text
The Wedding Procession
Nestled in shade of her palanquin, and carried by her servants Micola di Bombello was the picturesque lady of a Milanese noble. With dark tawny eyes and a pout that could melt ice Micola liked to think that even if she would turn heads even if she wasn't the daughter of the banker Pietro di Bombello. Dressed in jewelled Callicos and sporting a waterfall of flowing brunette curls it was obvious to all that she was very rich, if not very important.[1]
Observing the wedding procession from her palanquin the lady Micola di Bombello furrowed her brows in frustration. While it is imperative that any lady of status is knowledgeable about important personages of state the Venetians have presented an enigma to her and all of her servants. Normally aloof and disinterested the Venetians are seldom seen except as merchants, lawyers, or the occasional signore (overlords) invited by disunited cities for their impartialness. [2]
Why then are the tight pursed Venetians so willing to pour money into something as risky as another war on the mainland? The Venetians even went as far as to tie their fate to that of Milan? What do they want?
Entertaining these questions without answers her frustration collected until she was finally forced to admit to herself that she lacked the knowledge needed for a proper deduction. Exasperated, she dismisses her entourage to nurse the beginnings of a migraine in solitude.
As the procession passed under the sweltering sun Micola called her servants for wine only to realized that she had dispersed them all. Parched, she spots a lanky dark-haired man in a rough leather jerkin watching the procession. Confident that his master would allow the loan of a servant for a Bombello Micola announced her name and titles to the stranger and commanded him to fetch her some wine.
Pretending to feign ignorance the man looked around quizzically before coming to realization that she meant him. Pausing for a few seconds and testing her patience further the man broke out into a smug smile and proceeded to serve her with the grace one could only find in high-society.
Just great, a dimwitted servant.
Stopping beside her seat, he addressed her with scandalous informality "Veronese vintage of '85, some of the best the Venetians have to offer. One of the few left in the world from Scalligeri collection the and among the finest." [3]
Momentarily speechless at the breach of decorum she quickly recovered and retorted with just a hint of malice "And what would you know of the Venetians?"
Ignoring her display of irritation the man proceeds to expound a quick summary of the various Venetian houses and ministers present at the procession and offered an exchange of information; his Venetian knowledge for her Milanese knowledge.
Curious, her displeasure quickly disappeared after she resolved to reprimand him to his master later and was replaced with a tantalizing curiosity.
First in the procession after the bride and groom came the counsellors and captains of the privy council; the immediate circle that the duke interacts with on a daily basis. These are the powerful men of state to whom obedience and flattery were the norm second only to the duke. Yet these powerful men are a varied lot with different priorities, from self-serving mercenaries like Facino Cane to royalist old guards like Francesco Barbavara. Their arrival is announced with, trumpets, ceremonial guards, and the showering of rose petals and coin. Dressed in a flurry of colour, gold, and silk the men strut about with the confidence of power and nobility.[4]
Noting each lord by name the man discovers that Micola has an encyclopedic knowledge of the various scandals and relations between the houses. It was clear that Micola held them in low-esteem addressing the lords as little more than impetuous children running about playing war and the ministers mere bookkeepers. Quietly, the man noted that she did not mention the Bombelli among the powerful men.[5]
Second came the Venetians, an odd procession dressed in the standard black silk of Patricians and red-velvet of the high-ranking clergy. Divided much like the cities of Terra Firma among lines of wealth, family, vendettas, faith, and age there is however an unique sense of equality and faith in the law among its members, there is a complete absence of the fratricidal infighting commonly found in the cities of Terra Firma (Italian mainland). Thrifty, communal, and paranoid the Patricans have changed much since the Great Calamity. Sworn to silence the mystery makes many justifiably nervous.[6]
"Hard to tell if they (the Patricians) are at a wedding or a funeral" Remarked the man chuckling.
"Wait, you mentioned faith. As in heresy?"
…
Pointing at the next procession the man announces their arrival "Here comes the nobles."
Third came the nobles. Despite the risk the invited nobles were given the right to bear arms for they owned a quarter of the land in Milan and constituted most of the native military power. Old and proud only the presence of the duke prevents them from satisfying ancient blood debts and other petty grievances. Much to their perceived insult was the honor given to the Venetians before them, most of whom they consider new blood lacking the refinement of nobility and all too eager to engage in commerce. Seeking glory, land, and pleasure the nobles have at their disposal immense amounts of wealth, might, and influence.[7]
"It used to be a hundred years ago that you could kill a peasant with just a fine, how things have changed…" Remarked Micola with an unreadable expression.[8]
Fourth came the guild masters, part labour organization and part militia the guild masters weld great influence over the industry of the duchy. Forbidden by law to wear the silk of nobility they have instead resorted to opulent and tasteless displays of gems and gold. Rich and influential they guard their privileges and trades jealously against competition both domestic and foreign. Ever aware of politics' effect on their wealth and security they seek to improve their monopolies on trade at the expense of the nobles, merchants, popolo, and rival guilds.
With earnest and somewhat condescending manner, like a school teacher lecturing the runt of the class Micola goes into detail about the guild masters. While formally without power guild masters are trusted in their references and influence which can make or break reputations and in the city-states that can mean exile and confiscation of all property when one finds themselves on the losing end of politics. Furthermore without the guild masters' approval one cannot legally practice their craft forcing them to either hide out in cottages in the countryside or take their chances with the criminals of the city. Continuing her lecture at length the man only interrupts to ask for clarification and to offer more wine.[9]
Finally the procession is trailed by marching columns of Venetian and Milanese soldiers. Meant as a display of strength and to discourage any stray thoughts these fully-armoured men march without compliant in the sweltering sun. Despite the chaos of war or perhaps because of it Milan boasts some of the finest smiths south of the Alps and its soldiers reflect that. Tall, powerful, and well drilled the Milanese guard were a sight to behold clad in massive bulk wards of steel marching to the strut of 800 boots in unison. [10]
Curious the man inquired: "Why are their armor sets so different from one and another?"
"Because it is the prerogative of each mercenary to arm himself, this ensures that the positions of command and honour are given to those with means from proper families."
"And Milan would grant honour guard titles to mercenaries?"
"Why of course! I for one would feared my family's ancient enemies more than greedy and disinterested mercenaries."[11]
In contrast to the forest of towering oaks that are the Milanese the Venetian column was generally shorter by half a head and varied in their height. Yet despite their heterogeneous makeup there is a sense of power and unity that radiates from 400 men clad in identical uniforms.
"A pitiful bunch" referring their the Venetian's rag-tag physiques. "Is this the best the Venetians have on display?"
"Quite true, but I assure you these are far from the best Venice has to offer." Pausing for a sip of wine the man continues "They are the Soldà di Màr(marines), recruited from the worst stock of men they are given a chance to serve a higher purpose than their mundane existences. They fight like lions, even if their stock suggests otherwise."[12
As the procession ended Micola's servants scampered back to her side, praying that her foul mood has dissipated. It had not, for the beginning of the wedding ceremony had only reminded Micola of the insulting lack of an invitation for her family. Remembering the time the dark-haired man sought to excuse himself only to be refused by Micola.
"Wait" She commanded "I recall that we agreed to an exchange. I gave information and motives and yet you have only reciprocated in information. Surely a gentleman would uphold his agreements."
Faced with the implicit challenge to his honour the man uncomfortably explains that he is unable to disclose such information bound by oath as he is but quickly extends an invitation to the wedding ceremony as a consolation.
"Ha! As a servant? Shall I wait at the beck and call of my inferiors as well?"
"Of course not my lady, you would be accorded a seat near the doge and duke."
"You are a Patrician?"
"I'm Francesco di Foscari, son of Doge Niccolò di Foscari. Now let us be off, I need to change out of
this".
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[1]Callicos were at the time very high-quality textiles. Dyed in a process that took over 50 specialists Callicos did not fade over time, unlike most European textiles at the time. Needless to say Callicos were very expensive and very prestigious.
[2]IOTL this was the reputation and the extent of Venetian participation upon the mainland. This later changed IOTL around the start of the 15th century as ITTL, except on the side of the Viscontis as opposed to against.
[3]IOTL the Scalligeri were a family that once ruled the Northern shore of the Eastern Po Valley. They lost power at the hands of Gian Galeazzo Visconti in 1387 after decades of inept-rule and fratricide. Also the Veronese made great wine at the time.
[4]IOTL Gian Galeazzo Visconti created one of the earliest modern bureaucracies in Christendom where a privy council of powerful and/or talented men saw to the different aspects of state. They system was much more centralized than the common feudal kinships of the time allowing the duke to consolidate and direct the state to his means. The downside of such a centralized system is that incompetent or malicious dukes also had a lot more control to despoil the realm.
[5]Something to be elaborated on later but the modern concept of privacy did not exist in the clusterphobic confines of Italian cities at the time. Gossip gets around and in many cities it could damn a soul.
[6]Despite their reputation the Venetians were quite the dull book keepers outside of festivals. It wasn't until the decadence of the 18th century when the Venetians gave up the pretensions to power and the nobility was mired in terminal decline that the city became the playhouse of Europe. IOTL due to numerous factors marriages between Patricians became discouraged and massively expensive starting from the 15th century with many young Patricians denied marriage by family Patriarchs. Of course having a few thousand idle and rich bachelors around the city gave rise to a massive industry of distraction and this is when the reputation came from.
[7]The nobility of Milan was special in their numbers, unlike the other regions of Italy where a strong commercial class overwhelmed the nobility with numbers and wealth the nobility of Milan had managed to keep their numbers and wealth strong just like IOTL.
[8]Before the semi-democratic revolts of the middle-class around the 12th-13th century Italy was quite aristocratic, yet the infusion of wealth was enough to shift power towards merchants and the middle class. Yet as economic conditions waned the middle class was losing power and wealth by the 14th century, especially as the successful revolutionaries of the previous centuries soon styled themselves nobles and oppressed their former comrades.
[9]Just the same as the guilds and merchants of OTL Italy, something to be expanded on later in the economics of the time.
[10]Just as IOTL Milan ITTL is a hub of weapon and armor manufacturing.
[11]Mercenaries at the time were generally expected to arm themselves and of course there were exceptions for sure. The system had the advantage that it made armies a lot cheaper but it also meant that some of the more exceptional soldiers died before ever getting proper gear. Furthermore it made maintenance difficult having so many different varieties of arms inflating the number of camp followers and came with all the logistical problems larger armies have. Still for bankrupt and struggling city-states it was better than nothing.
[12]Nicknamed the "Pirate Empire" by many historians the Venetians had managed ITTL to create a system that combined stability, war, and commercial enterprise. This will be elaborated on later.