Forms of Political Representation in Late Medieval Northern Italy: Merits and Shortcomings of the City-state Paradigm (late 14th – early 16th Century)

This chapter explores forms of political representation in late medieval Lombardy, specifically in the Duchy of Milan. Unlike other European regions with parliamentary bodies, Milan lacked a unified representative institution, instead governed by the ducal Privy Council at the center, while cities and communities managed local issues through civic councils dominated by elite factions. Examining cities like Parma, Piacenza, and Alessandria, the study underscores the complexity of political organization and questions the traditional “city-state” model. Recent scholarship challenges views that the city-state, driven by urban elites, systematically controlled surrounding territories. Notably, cities often maintained semi-autonomous governance, balancing power between central authority and local elites within a hybrid framework that combined both territorial and corporate elements. The dual dynamic of “horizontal” and “vertical” representation—territorial vs. factional—shaped civic life, revealing a fluid system that blended urban autonomy with princely control. This nuanced understanding challenges simplified models and reveals the layered nature of late medieval political structures.