Federico da Sestri Levante dinamico notaio per magistrati e per un popolo rurale (1223-1225)

Only one fragment of cartulary (consisting of 59 folios spanning the years 1223-1225, for a total of 331 acts) regarding Federico of Sestri Levante exists. Despite this, the notary can claim a number of achievements:
– He operates outside the city walls, specifically in the eastern Riviera, mainly between Sestri and Moneglia (including their hinterland);
– His activity is progressive and long-lasting – a rural notary remains a unique figure until the middle of the XIII Century;
– Furthermore, his main engagement with private clients is flanked by his collaboration with the magistrate who oversees the above territories.
The documents provide knowledge of a world that is rapidly evolving under the recent Genoese influence. The information covers mainly economic and social aspects, together with providing a few unexpected nuggets such as the widespread presence of notaries. It is clear that some of these aim at secure positions within the growing Genoese administration on the land. We hypothesise – with good supporting data – that Federico himself ended his long career working as a magistrates’ scriba in Bonifacio, in Corsica.