The Confraternities of Modena between the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Rules, Social Profiles and Spirituality

This article traces the foundation and development of confraternities in the city of Modena and identifies key events that influenced how lay associations determined the social, spiritual, and cultural responsibilities outlined in their statutes. Over time, however, the confraternities underwent major changes to their corporate identity and subsequently adapted their statutes to reflect those changes. The article also charts the documentary lineage of the regulations that governed Modena’s confraternities, revealing the complexity of both internal and external influences that affected the ways in which the societies designed, updated, and enforced their statutes.