Il diploma di Enrico V a Bologna

Abstract

The contribution analyzes the historical context in which is lowered the emperor Henry V’s diploma to Bologna (1116), which traditional historiography considers the act of legitimacy of the municipal autonomy of the city. While underlining the similarities with the acts of privilege of Salii emperors to the other cities of the Italy’s kingdom, the systematic reading of these diplomas immediately notes the differences in the diplomatic structure of “bolognese” document and allows us to hypothesize that it is only an informal and incomplete draft (how was convention) of the citizens to Henry on the basis of which the emperor’s chancellery should have drafted the solemn diploma. The signing of Irnerius iudex guaranted the regularity of the act and suggests it is possible a involvement of the great civilist at the drafting of bononienses desiderata. The diplomatic analysis of the preserved source – we must remember it is not the original act but an exemplum transcribed in cartulario of Bologna’s comune – allows us to affirm that the Henry’s act is not perfectum, reason why it is devoid of legal value.

Keywords

• irnerio
• henry v
• bologna
• comune
• autonomy