Mentalities and behaviours of the feudal class of Corfu during the late middle ages

Abstract

Since the Greek island of Corfu passed under the rule of western powers
in 1258, social phenomena analogous to the ones met with in contemporary
Italy were developped in the local society.
In this paper the author traces the origins of the formation of the ruling
class of Corfu in the late middle ages. The ephemeral political activities of the
local aristocracy is considered as a result of its insecurities about its future,
while special reference is made to the initial unfitness of its members to adjust
their feudal mentalities and behaviours with the new, professedly democratic,
rule of Venise. As with the boost of trade in Corfu the emerging bourgeois
class claims a more prominent role in the local society, new insecurities seem
to imperil the social prevalence of the aristocracy. Consequently its members 

try to keep the organised Communitas Corphiensis under their control, with
the purpose to safeguard their privileged status in the local society.