Abstract

The paper is the first result of the "Chartae Vulgares Antiquiores" research project. The project aims to describe and interpret the phase of the first establishment of a vernacular writing tradition in the Italo-Romance area by reproducing, publishing and commenting on the oldest written documents from each region, starting with Veneto (chiefly Venice) and Lazio (chiefly Rome). In view of the future publication of the dossier on Venice, the work includes 14 previously unpublished texts with linguistic commentary and paleographical analysis. The texts, dating from the 13th century, were found in the vast section of the Archivio di Stato di Venezia put together by the Procurators of San Marco, who oversaw the execution of wills for part of the Venetian ruling class.