Violence

Abstract

This chapter deals with violence. It includes some graphic accounts of seigneurial violence. These should not be treated superficially as ‘historiographical voyeurism’ but rather considered as manifestations of the ritualistic nature of violence and assessed with regard to their impact in collective local memory. Texts reveal violence to be on the increase in the eleventh century. Also the nicknames of the lords offers a vivid testimony of their attitude toward violence. It often took on a ritual character and was designed to overawe, intimidate, and impose social superiority. Beatings, torture, torching, and rape became part of everyday experience of Italian peasantry from the late eleventh century. Other examples of seigneurial violence over small towns, such as the Frangipane in Terracina, and imperial representatives in Piacenza and Treviso follow.