Early in 1525, doge Andrea Gritti's grand-daughter got married. The festivities lasted ten days. A number of exceptional things were done in Venice for this very grande but out of season, celebration. On the day before was the official betrothal audience required, according to custom where the bride-to-be officially meets the groom's extended family. On the folllowing day, January 17, 1525, a dance was held in the Ducal Palace, which as a public celebration held on state property, almost never happened.
Sanudo Diaries: January 17, 1525; (37:447): "No meetings were held after dinner because the Ducal Palace was the site of a party for the betrothal celebrations. Women were being received in the upper room where the Senate meets, and people were dancing. A very large number of women attended; in the evening the supper tables were prepared and the dividing partition was removed to create more space.... It was a most elegant dinner, with pine-nut cakes, partridges, pheasants, baby pigeons, and other dishes. And although more guests appeared than were expected, each one had enough to eat. The compagnie responsible were the Ortolani; ser Dolfin Dolfin was lord of the feast, nor was there any activity beside the dancing. The party concluded at eight hours past sunset, and not without a rain that ended days and months of drought, a good sign that this ceremony is taking place in a time of abundance." p. 298
Women were shockingly allowed into the Ducal Palace, and they danced. Outrageous. Viena was the bride's name. The groom was of the Contarini family. The actual marriage would take place on the 25th of January.
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Sanudo Diaries from Venice, Cita Excellentissima, Selections from the Renaissance Diaries of Marin Sanudo translated by Linda L Carroll, editors: Patricia H LaBalme and Laura Sanguineti White, published by Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008
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