The fish market was economically important in Mantova from medieval to modern times. The number of people involved and the importance of fish in the diet of all social classes made it an object of attention by the city government. Inspections were carried out by various public institutions, corporations, sanitation offices and tax offices, with essentially three objectives. Firstly, supply was to match demand and prices were to be kept in check. Secondly, fish was guaranteed to be fresh and local fish stocks preserved. At the same time, the Dukes of Mantova were ensured a regular income from fish taxation. From time to time, one interest prevailed over another, although sanitary requirements, strict as they were, were never sacrificed. Fish storing was also regulated. The city government and trade groups also regulated the market with various detailed provisions. This paper aims to describe the framework of regulations which remained substantially unchanged between the 15th and the 18th century. It also analyses quantitative variations linked to the unsteady population trends of Mantova in the modern age, as well as socio-economic and institutional change in the city in the same period.
Managing a natural ressource: the Mantova fish market in modern times / Grandi, Alberto. - In: FOOD & HISTORY. - ISSN 1780-3187. - 3/2007:(2007), pp. 31-52.
Managing a natural ressource: the Mantova fish market in modern times
GRANDI, Alberto
2007-01-01
Abstract
The fish market was economically important in Mantova from medieval to modern times. The number of people involved and the importance of fish in the diet of all social classes made it an object of attention by the city government. Inspections were carried out by various public institutions, corporations, sanitation offices and tax offices, with essentially three objectives. Firstly, supply was to match demand and prices were to be kept in check. Secondly, fish was guaranteed to be fresh and local fish stocks preserved. At the same time, the Dukes of Mantova were ensured a regular income from fish taxation. From time to time, one interest prevailed over another, although sanitary requirements, strict as they were, were never sacrificed. Fish storing was also regulated. The city government and trade groups also regulated the market with various detailed provisions. This paper aims to describe the framework of regulations which remained substantially unchanged between the 15th and the 18th century. It also analyses quantitative variations linked to the unsteady population trends of Mantova in the modern age, as well as socio-economic and institutional change in the city in the same period.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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