Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index


  • Record Number: 3651
  • Author(s)/Creator(s): Bridgeman , Jane.
  • Contributor(s):
  • Title: Pagare le pompe: Why Quattrocento Sumptuary Laws Did Not Work [the author argues that given the very high costs for fabric, especially luxury fabrics, sumptuary laws were intended as a supplementary taxation on the wealthy; instead of forbidding costly attire, the system gave those of high status the opportunity to dress opulently by paying fines].
  • Source: Women in Italian Renaissance Culture and Society.  Edited by Letizia Panizza.  European Humanities Research Centre, University of Oxford, 2000.  Pages 209 - 226.
  • Description:
  • Article Type: Essay
  • Subject (See Also): Clothing Economics Noble Women Social Class Sumptuary Laws Taxation
  • Award Note:
  • Geographic Area: Italy
  • Century: 15
  • Primary Evidence:
  • Illustrations:
  • Table:
  • Abstract: The author argues that given the very high costs for fabric, especially luxury fabrics, sumptuary laws were intended as a supplementary taxation on the wealthy. This explains Nicolosa Sanuti's outrage at Cardinal Bessarion's new sumptuary law that excommunicated the guilty parties. In her text Nicolosa emphasized how important it was for noble women to display the signs of their status, since they had no other outlets. Despite the moral and economic concerns sometimes expressed, the system was intended to give those of high status the opportunity to dress opulently by paying fines. [Abstract written by Medieval Feminist Index staff].
  • Related Resources:
  • Author's Affiliation: Institute of Historical Research, University of London
  • Conference Info: - , -
  • Year of Publication: 2000.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN/ISBN: 1900755092