The Crusades, the Genoese and the Latin East - DSpace at ...

other side. This contract contains no sign that they were dealing with a general matter of the
commune, especially because Guglielmo was referred to without his consular title. Furthermore,
Guglielmo is not said to have acted with the consent or the agreement of the other consuls or the
people of Genoa either. Because Guglielmo registered many other commercial contracts
concerning private investments it is not clear at first that this contract was different. This contract
was, however, the main contract of this expedition. The shipowners promised to pay Guglielmo
Embriaco one-sixth of the capital and two-thirds of the profit from the venture: Nos... promittimus
et convenimus tibi Wilielmo Embriaco maiori ... quod aliquo modo lucrifuerimus vel habuerimus
in hoc itur... sumus facturi cum galeis vel aliqua occasione tam mobilis quam
immobilis ... dabimus tibi Wilielmo predicte Embraco maiori out cui tibi placuerit sextam partem
tracto... capitali cum proficuo de duabus tertia. 145
Guglielmo's share of one-sixth probably hints
at the equal investment of the other five consuls of Genoa, as is evident from the contract they
made on 09 May 1201.146
This approach suggests that this venture was indeed handled as a
private enterprise. In the second part of the contract, the shipowners specified several limitations
on their financial commitments to Guglielmo. Importantly, if the seneschal Markward from Sicily
pays them for their service, si senescale Marquvaldo nobis dederit aliquod pro servicio quod ei
feciens out faciens non debens tibi dare partem, sed nostrum esse debet. Equally, if they capture a
ship they would not have to share the profit. Finally they promised to obey Guglielmo Embriaco
major's commands, given directly or by letter or through Nicola Doria. 147
Interestingly, one of the
shipowners, named Heredes de Mari, made separate promises of fidelity to the king of Sicily. As
has been seen, he signed a contract with several messengers from Palermo that in exchange for
the release of his relative Lanfranco de Mari from prison in Palermo he would ensure that nobody
on his ship would hurt the king or his property. 148
Nicola Doria who was another consul of the
commune that year was to be the de facto commander. In a contract between Gugliemo Embriaco
and the four shipowners on one side and Nicola Doria on the other side, Nicola's command of the
fleet was established. It was made clear, however, that Nicola had to follow the instructions of
Guglielmo Embriaco. 149
To establish his full authority, Guglielmo Embriaco major required that
in addition to Nicola's own promises, he would also supply a guarantor to ensure that he obeys
his commands. Nicola's guarantor was the wealthy Bonifacio de Volta who thus signed a special
security contract with Guglielmo Embriaco major. In this contract he guaranteed that Nicola
145
Guglielmo di Sori, MS 102, p. 189, R4
146
Guglielmo di Sori, MS 102, p. 192, V2. See above, note 143
147
Guglielmo di Sori, MS 102, p. 189, R4.
148
MS, 102, p. 192, R3"V 1.
149
Guglielmo di Sori, MS 102, p. 189, V2.
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