Political and Social Aspects of Godparenthood in Early Modern Venice: Spiritual Kinship and Patrician Society

Abstract

In late medieval and early modern Europe, baptism was the object of confrontation between civil society and the Church. This article will outline the involvement of the Venetian government from the early sixteenth century. This legislation, aimed to shape the practice of godparenthood among Venetian patricians in both Venice and its empire, will be examined until the mid-seventeenth century. In particular, the article will highlight the transformations in the networks established by Venetian nobles throughout the sixteenth century. At the same time, it will focus on the political use of spiritual kinship in the electoral and governorship contexts, and explain how it was a useful way to improve diplomatic relations between states.