Chiara Valsecchi

Sacra collegia doctorum: Jurists holding the reins of power or jurists at the service of the powers that be? The case of Padua

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Abstract

From records held in the Archivio Antico of the University of Padua, this paper reconstructs certain aspects of the workings of the Sacro Collegio dei dottori giuristi. Covering the period from its foundation in the mid-17th century (at the same time as the Collegio Veneto) until its abolition in the autumn of 1806, it focusses in particular on late 18th-century reforms and the repeated transitions from French to Austrian domination and vice-versa. The minutes of sessions, degree registers, records of aggregationes, reports and reform proposals drawn up by the collegiate board to meet the demands of governments, all provide an insight into relations between these cultural and social élites and the authorities. The élites would bow and adapt to change with the evident aim of preserving their prerogatives and role as far as possible. Moreover, sources reveal the enduring nature of some surprising aspects, even in times of breakdowns in political-institutional relations and of great change such as the «Jacobin» and Napoleonic reforms.

Keywords

  • Collegio dei dottori giuristi –
  • University of Padua (18-19 cent.) –
  • Archives –
  • History of law

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