The dogaressas of Venice (the wives of the doges)

"The dogaressas of Venice (the wives of the doges)" by Edgcumbe Staley is a historical account written in the early 20th century. It explores the roles, influence, ceremonies, and legends of Venice’s first ladies within the broader story of the Republic’s politics, religion, crafts, fashions, and pageantry. The opening of the book sets out the author’s aim to tell, in English, the untold story of the Dogaressas, citing scholarly sources and noting how women shaped Venetian society and patronized its crafts. An introduction evokes Venice as “City of Venus,” “City of Saints,” and “City of Fair Women,” moving from a mythic sea-born origin to a fervent catalog of relics and saints, and then to vivid portraits of Venetian women—their beauty, perfumes, hair rituals, and dress. The narrative of the first chapter then turns to early history and legend: invasions by Huns and Longobards, the courage of women defenders, the refugee settlements on the lagoons, and the election of the first Doge at Eraclea. It recounts the first recognized Dogaressa (a Frankish lady, Carola) amid court intrigue, the decisive shift of power to Rialto under Agnello Badoero and his consort Elena, the building of foundations, bridges, and the first Ducal Palace, the arrival of St. Mark’s relics, and the emergence of civic customs—betrothal rites, the red-rose “boccola,” and the Festa delle Marie born from the dramatic rescue of kidnapped brides—before leading into the troubled rise of Pietro Candiano IV.