Jacopo Tiepolo

Who was Jacopo Tiepolo?

Jacopo Tiepolo was Doge of Venice from 6 March 1229 to 2 May 1249. Previously, served as a first Venetian duke of Crete and podestà in Constantinople.

At the election for doge, Tiepolo and his rival Marino Dandolo were tied at 20 votes each, and Tiepolo was selected by drawing lots. This is thought to have sparked the feud between the Tiepolo, who were an old aristocratic family, and the Dandolo, who were seen as nouveau-riches. Prior to ascending the ducal throne, Tiepolo also had to sign a trational promissione, which seriously limited his powers.

Despite Emperor Frederick II's cordial visit in Venice in 1232, the relations between the emperor and the Republic deteriorated and, in 1239, Venice joined the Lombard League and fought against Ezzelino III da Romano, a powerful ally of Frederick. In the subsequent fights the Doge's son, Pietro Tiepolo, was captured at the battle of Cortenuova 1237 and died in prison in South Italy.

Jacopo Tiepolo's reign brought other important events: In 1242 the Doge proclaimed Statuto, the codification of the Venetian civil law - work begun by Doge Enrico Dandolo.