the forms and functions of notaries’ wills in central and northern italy would ideally be transferred “ad corpora patris, matris, fratrum, uxoris et filiorum suorum ac nepotum ex filiis”,25 as stated in the notarial statutes of Verona that were drawn up during the period of Venetian rule.26 This transgenerational recognition took concrete form in the testamentary bequests made in favour of the guild not only by “personas plenissime confidentes de collegio”,27 but also by the notaries themselves. In Como, for example, they were required by statute to bequeath something to the institution “ut collegium profiscischatur de bono in melius”,28 taking care that nothing “destrui et consumari”29 should be left invain.30 More examples could be provided, extending both the chronological and geographical scope. But while from a functional point of view the mortis causadispositions relating to funeral ceremonies, burials, periodic commemorations, and bequests for pious works reflect not only the personal experience but above all the identity and professional profile of the testator notaries, what is even clearer in this respect are the decisions concerning the material they produced and/or possessed in the course of their careers: first and foremost registers of imbreviaturae, but also formularies, law codes, accounting records relating to the practice of their profession, and everyday objects such as furniture for storing documents, desks, candlesticks, and inkwells. The earliest evidence to this effect comes from Genoa and is dated 12–13 May 1157.31 These are the preparatory notes for the drafting of the will’simbreviaturathat the notary Giovanni, magister of the better-known Giovanni Scriba, dictated less than a month before his death (between 7 and 8 June of the same year).32 210 25 “to the bodies of [his] father, mother, brothers, wife, children, and grandchildren”. 26 Sancassiani 1987, p. 74. 27 “people having full trust in the guild”. 28 “for the college to go from strength to strength”. 29 “be destroyed or consumed”. 30 Mangini 2007, p. 564. 31 Chiaudano, Moresco 1934–1935, I, n. 174. 32 Ruzzin 2006, pp. 407–411.
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