CONCEPTS OF VALOR IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE URBAN KNIGHTHOOD OF ITALY AT THE END OF XIV - EARLY XV CENTURY BY THE EXAMPLE OF BIOGRAPHY OF JACOPO SALVIATI

Abstract

The article examines the ideas of valor in the urban environment of the Italian city-states during the XIV - early XV centuries. The discussion about the position of knights in the social and legal system of city-states, both in classical and modern Italian historiography, is touched upon, an attempt is made to show signiicant changes in social status and mental attitudes and values of urban chivalry. In addition to novels containing judgments about the dualism of the perception of the image of knights among contemporaries, a previously unexplored source is used - the memories of one of the prominent citizens of Florence, Jacopo Salviati, knighted by the commune for successful military actions, which he led, performing at the same time diplomatic missions and staying in judicial and administrative posts in various cities and fortresses subordinate to the Republic of Florence. In Jacopo Salviati's attitude were combined forms of perception of reality: he saw himself as a merchant engaged in entrepreneurial activity, a manager appointed to high positions in Florence and beyond. In the same time, he was aware of himself as a commander who was elevated in the knighthood by means of the magniicent ceremony, which was described in detail by himself what he realized as a raising social status. An autobiographical source allows one to examine "from the inside" in the self-assessments and behavior of the investigated character the interweaving of classical ideas about knightly virtues with the system of values of a "good" merchant and citizen of the commune. This duality in the behavior and mental attitudes of urban chivalry is the main object of this article.