The two wills of Manuele Zaccaria: protecting one’s wealth and saving one’s soul in late thirteenth-century Genoa

International audienceThis article analyses two wills drawn up by Manuele Zaccaria, scion of a powerful family of merchants, and brother of Benedetto, in the late thirteenth century. Manuele dictated his first will in April 1271, a few days after promising his daughter in marriage to the son of Oberto Spinola, the newly-elected capitano del popolo. This first document reflects Manuele’s need to protect his wealth in view of this marriage alliance. The second will, drawn up more than twenty years later, is telling of Manuele’s religious inclinations and his concern for saving his soul