6.
The Casa di San Giorgio,
founded in 1407, managed the debts of the Commune of Genoa and was composed of
all the Genoese creditors of the Commune. Unlike other systems of debt utilized
in republican cities with extensive territorial holdings (like Florence or
Venice) or those of the European monarchies in the medieval and early modern
eras, the Casa progressively acquired rights and powers that were originally
the Commune’s prerogative. From 1408 to 1444 and from 1530 until 1805, the Casa
di San Giorgio performed activities of a main central bank. Genoese bankers and
citizens had accounts with the Casa di San Giorgio. The bank offered both
deposit and credit operations. (https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780195399301/obo-9780195399301-0489.xml)
The money lenders have no
association with them, for one, they are considered insignificant to the trade.
The money lenders, however, have their own association; unnamed but known among
themselves, as the association of lenders, they call themselves. They
congregate at the office of one named Jeremiah Tobin, next to the synagogue at
the main square.
The members loosely called a
meeting there to discuss their issues, like the defaulters, or haggle on the
interests to be levied, or it could be who needed coins for their wares. The
last pointer was discussed in selective groups or self-appointed members for
fear of another group pillaging their possible clients. It was like the open
sea piracy where bounties were to be taken; they held it close to their
‘chest’—a manner of speech.
“I am disgusted with the
rich Lords. They …… We are to capitulate to their generosity to assist in the
binds.” Matthew Judas, the father of the Shylock Judas, mumbled to his group of
trade members. “Lord Capulet…….”
“That Lord Gencio Capulet?
He is a thief. I was told that he stole the jewel from Lord Dante Montague, who
offered him safe passage to the Ottoman Empire.” One of the members cut in. His
claims were as good as the height of the mountain if it can grow by itself.
“Yes, I was told that he
made a good deal with the jewel and was rewarded well. Bloody Turks do not know
the price of wheat from the corn.” Another quipped in.
Wheat and corn, while both
grains, differ significantly in their nutritional profiles, uses, and plant
characteristics. Wheat is a good source of protein and fibre, often used
for bread and pasta, while corn is lower in protein and higher in
carbohydrates, used for animal feed, sweeteners, and various processed
foods.
“One day, Lord Gencio
Capulet will regret his generosity for the fellow merchants.” Matthew Judas
said. “Just you wait, Fulgencio Caputo. One day, he will beg me not to take his
pound of flesh.”
Lord Gencio Capulet was then
with his Genoese banker, Abundus Juntus, having black tea at the banker’s
office. He had just deposited the wealth from the Ottoman Empire. The banker
had instructed the aide to issue the letter of credit in Caputo’s name.
“I heard that Lord Dante
Montague was with a lighter amount, but still profitable.” The banker smiled.
The words among the bankers flowed like the canals of Venice, with its many
routes that branched off at every turn, so if Adam were to select the apple, he
would have a tree load of it to select from.
“The appetite of the bankers
holds a huge vault of news.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled at the spread of news
among the bankers.
“We only want the vault
where it matters, Lord Gencio Capulet. There is a saying that says, One cannot
be too careful, for carelessness needs to happen only once.” The banker held
onto the motto of being extra careful. “Just as we are governed by the rules of
banking.”
There was the first
Venetian banking regulation, giving the Consuls of Merchants (Consoli de
Mercanti) the exclusive authority to license bankers. The rules, since the
12th century, hold the bankers to certain practices like the checking of the
scales for the money changers and the bankers to post bonds of surety and
obtain licenses from the consuls to operate. Deposits were to be
returned with coins within certain days, and a lending limit was set on the
amount of wealth the bank held.
“Prudency is the motto of
the bankers.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled.
“Utmost practice there. We
are unlike the money lenders who are barbaric in their negotiations and most
uncivilized in their claims.” The banker smiled. “We have certain practices…….”
“Land or property
confiscation. I am fully aware of them.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled. He then
stood up and bid goodbye.
“I loved to discuss with you
the ethics of banking, but I hold an important meeting with some others on a
more personal matter. Please excuse my short stay here. And do place my wealth
in good hands.”
“We will, Lord Gencio
Capulet. Please have a good day.” The banker, in turn, stood up and smiled at
the Lord of Capulet. He watched the Lord take his leave and then told his aide
to speak to the other banks.
“Loan the coins out. Tell
them the usual rates apply. We must disburse the coins to create more.”
Lord Dante Montague had his
meeting with the banker short, for he was in a hurry to see another person of
interest across the city. He reached the house he was to be at not a moment too
late. He stepped under the portico, a covered entrance to a building, usually a
large and impressive building, that is supported by columns. He stood there to
adjust his clothes to look smart. He spied the gardener peeking at him from the
corner. The quoins there, well decorated, did not blend in the garden with the
house. He had known the gardeners; their homes were called trulli, or
one-dwelling cottages. In comparison to the one admitted for the Lord, it was
minuscule in dimensions.
“Ah, the prodigal son has
arrived.” Lord Dante Montague was met by two elderly ladies seated in the grand
library there. He was escorted there by the manservant. The library was of the
Italian design: luxurious textures, massive furniture, high-backed seats, and
round adjoining tables covered with lace on the top. The fireplace looms
prominently there, with an imposing portrait of the villa’s master, the man
with the army uniform and sword at the waist belt, posturing with the stare
that many servants will cringe to look at. The library was adorned with the
high shelves of volumes, untouched but grand to be displayed there. The
design contradicted the concept of minimalism with an excessive display of
wealth. However, these characters are balanced by spatial orientation and
ample natural light.
“Mother,” Lord Dante
Montague laid his affectionate kiss on the elderly lady’s left cheek. And then
he approached the dreaded relative of his, the pretentious Lady Tutti Servilla.
“And greetings to you, Lady
Servilla.” Lord Dante Montague took his seat next to the tall window. He wanted
the lady to be gazed on by sunlight. Maybe she will melt there, and he will be
saved from another tedious afternoon. He was served black tea by the
manservant, and the tirade began.
“Lord Gencio Capulet has
been without a wife for far too long.” The mother of Lord Dante Montague looked
at her son. “His last wife, God bless her soul. She died some years back. He
needs a warm body in bed.”
“He may have.” Lady Servilla
was the bitch in heat there. If she were not twice Lord Dante Montague’s age,
she would have sacrificed herself to him.
“Come now, Tutti. This is my
son we are talking about.” The mother of the child could sense the lust of the
lady. “He needs a wife. It will have to be soon.”
“Of course, Mariana. I may
know of the lady who could be his wife.” Lady Servilla smiled. “She is of the
fine family and from Venice. Her father is a trader like Dante, and above all
else, she is young. Very young, to be exact.”
“Meravigliosa!” The mother
exclaimed in delight. She was Italian before she married the father of Lord Dante
Montague. “Is she …...”
“Yes, she is. She just
turned puberty some years back, but her family kept her close to them. She is
…... vergine (virgin).”
“Perfectta!” The mother
smiled. “I was then.”
“I was …….” Lady Servilla
blushed. She remembered very well, once the walls of Jericho fell, she was a
wandering soul soon after.
“Mother, may I be excused?”
Dante Montague asked. “I …….”
“You will stay. We are
talking of your future here.” The mother insisted then. Dante Montague sat
there listening to the two ladies laying out the years ahead for him to come.
He was a good son, but his mind was elsewhere. All his life, Dante Montague had
his life regimented with planned events by allotted time and dates. He was to
be late for his next event.
“Thank you, Lady Servilla. I
will look forward to the next visit.” Dante Montague, reduced to the young son
of the Montague, leaned to kiss the lady on the cheeks. She stood up and
embraced him in her arms. She held him close and heaved her navel to his groin.
He felt awkward and pulled away.
“To the next time.” Lady
Servilla smiled. He holds a huge one that was in her thoughts. The man took his
leave and dashed out. The carriage was there waiting, and he mounted it.
“Do hurry, Benito. She may
not like me to be late.”
“Do not worry, Lord. I will
get you there before the church bells ring.”
The church bells also rang
for Lord Gencio Capulet while he watched his cousin, Lord Vito Capulet, sign
off on the oath to be faithful to his beloved wife. He was smiling, for among
the Capulets who were eligible to be married, he was the last one withholding.
Lord Gencio Capulet did not
feel the pressure to marry at all. He was fine as the gentleman that he was,
having his drinks with friends and jousting with them on the tall tales of
being single.
“Gencio.” The Lord looked to
the one who addressed him.
“Hello, Antonio. More of our
friends are now enslaved to the woes of marriage.” Lord Gencio Capulet smiled.
Their friend, Leonardi Mardi, having returned from this trade route to the Far
East, had also taken the vows. He told Gencio that once he made it from the
land of Cathay, he was to marry his lady. He kept the promise.
“Are you free to see Marie?”
Gencio was asked. Antonio, himself, married, had never held himself to the vow
of faithfulness, and still held his own liaison with other ladies on the
boundary.
“I am not. I am to see
Juliette Dubier in the city.” Gencio smiled. “I have a gift for her.”
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