Preliminary remarks on violence from masked people during Carnival in the dukedom of Ercole I d’Este

During the carnival period, the Duke of Ferrara Hercules I of Este (1471-1505) often emanated decrees in which he forbade people in masks to hurt others (similar decrees were issued in many cities, such as Venice). He also forbade masked people from carrying weapons and sticks (but only those that were larger than what the city statutes allowed for). The temptation to settle scores, however, was evidently too strong, because chronicles often report assaults, injuries, and even out and out ambushes.