Orso Participazio II (912) was a saintly and righteous prince who, after a peaceful reign of twenty years, retired to a monastery. During his rule, the Venetians obtained from Emperor Rudolph a confirmation of their right to mint their own currency.

Venetian commercial expansion became even more evident under the next Doge, Pietro Candiano II (932), who managed, by means of a simple commercial boycott, to bring the feudal lord of Istria to submission. In 942, after a brief interval of rule by a rival dynasty, Candiano’s son Pietro became Doge.

The Narentine Pirates and the Rescue of the Brides

A romantic episode in Venice’s frequent battles with the Narentine pirates is attached to this reign. On the feast of the Translation of St Mark, it was customary for the marriageable maidens of Venice to go to S. Pietro in Castello, carrying their dowries in caskets, to be formally betrothed and receive the Church’s blessing.

Pirates, informed of the festival, hid in the brushwood that once covered part of the island. During the ceremony, they burst into the church, seized brides and dowries, and escaped to their boats.

The Doge, who was present, called the people to arms. Boats belonging to the Cabinet-makers’ Guild, near S. Maria Formosa, were offered for pursuit. The Venetians caught the pirates in a remote area of the Caorle lagoon, later called Porto delle Donzelle, defeated them, and triumphantly brought the brides and dowries back to Rialto.

This episode gave rise to an annual ceremony: on the Day of the Purification, the Doge proceeded in state to S. Maria Formosa to give thanks. Twelve poor girls, called the Marie, were dowered and joined the procession with the major guilds of Venice.

The celebration grew increasingly magnificent. By 1271 the number of Marie was reduced to four; later a tax was imposed on all families to fund the eight-day festival. In 1379, after the Genoese wars, only the Doge’s yearly visit remained, with offerings of oranges, muscat wine, and gilded straw hats.

The Fall of Pietro Candiano IV and the Fire of 976

Pietro Candiano IV’s rule ended tragically. His son rebelled and became a pirate. The Doge’s harsh measures, foreign marriage, and reliance on mercenaries caused public anger. A revolt broke out; his palace was attacked and set on fire.

Candiano fled to St Mark’s, seeking mercy from nobles. They answered, “He is worthy of death,” and killed him and his infant son. The mercenaries were slaughtered, and the flames destroyed much of Venice, including St Mark’s, St Theodore, and the ducal palace.

Pietro Orseolo I: Rebuilding the City

On August 12th, 976, Pietro Orseolo became Doge. A decima tax was imposed to rebuild the ruined city. Artisans from Constantinople were brought to design the new St Mark’s and the ducal palace.

Orseolo, deeply religious, donated much of his wealth. Yet he longed for monastic life. One night, with monks and friends, he secretly fled Venice and entered the Abbey of St Michael in Aquitaine.

Factional Strife: Caloprini and Morosini

After Orseolo’s departure, weak rulers allowed factional struggles between:

• Morosini, pro-Orseolo, pro-Byzantine
• Caloprini, pro-Candiano, pro-Western Empire

The Caloprini murdered a Morosini and fled to Emperor Otho II, urging him to attack Venice. Otho imposed trade restrictions and encouraged enemies to strike. But he died suddenly, ending the threat.

Pietro Orseolo II (991): Statesman, Admiral, and Architect of Venetian Power

In 991 Pietro Orseolo II became Doge. He restored peace with East and West, then faced Adriatic piracy. Refusing to pay blackmail, he launched a powerful fleet. Dalmatian cities requested Venetian protection; fortress after fortress fell to his campaign.

He adopted the title Doge of Venice and Dalmatia. The ritual later known as the Wedding of the Adriatic began during his era, on Ascension Day, when the Doge sailed out to bless the sea.

Friendship with Emperor Otho III

Emperor Otho III, fascinated by Orseolo’s reputation, visited Venice incognito. The two became friends. Byzantium, too, honoured the Doge, marrying the emperor’s niece to Orseolo’s son Giovanni.

After plague and famine struck Venice, Orseolo II died at forty-eight and was buried in S. Zaccaria.

The Body of St Tarasius

In 1019 Venetian merchants, accompanied by a priest, discovered the incorrupt body of St Tarasius in a remote monastery. Despite protests from monks, they brought the relics aboard their ship, which sailed miraculously light and swift.

Otho Orseolo (1008) and the Patriarchal Conflict

Otho Orseolo, son of Pietro Orseolo II, incensed the people by appointing his brothers to the Patriarchate of Grado and the See of Torcello. This reignited the feud with the Patriarch of Aquileia.

The Patriarch of Aquileia forced Otho and his brother into exile. Otho briefly returned, but his autocratic conduct led to a second exile. Another Orseolo briefly seized power but was soon expelled. The family fell completely into disgrace.

The Reforms of Flabianico (1032): Rise of the Venetian Oligarchy

Under Domenico Flabianico, elected in 1032, major reforms were enacted:

• hereditary succession abolished
• co-regency of sons abolished
• two ducal councillors established
• the Doge required to consult leading citizens (future Pregadi, or Senate)

These changes marked the beginning of Venice’s oligarchic government and the decline of ducal authority.

The Election of Domenico Selvo (1071)

Domenico Tina, an eyewitness, describes a massive crowd gathered for the election of Domenico Selvo. The people shouted in unison, “We desire Domenico Selvo for Doge,” and carried him on their shoulders.

He entered St Mark’s barefoot and received the ducal insignia amid the ringing of every church bell in Venice. The populace looted the ducal palace, as tradition allowed.

His Greek wife, known for excessive luxury, supposedly used golden forks for eating—a shocking novelty. Chroniclers say she died of a terrible disease seen as divine punishment.