Il devoto usuraio : Gasparino da Casate e la persecuzione di Ludovico il Moro

The episode focused here, based on a large amount of unpublished documents, is significant for the study of the Milanese money market, and as a proof of emerging political tyranny in 15th century Milan. Gasparino da Casate was the most famous moneylender in the city: his pawnshop opened in 1450 under license of the dukes. He was a member of a noble family, and his customers belonged to every class of citizens, rich and poor, including the Sforzas. From 1491 to 1497, under the pretext of punishing the crime of usury, Ludovico Maria Sforza persecuted Gasparino’s heirs and enacted some exceptional measures in order to confiscate their assets, included the rich estates situated near Milan. The whole procedure was performed by the “deputati al criminale”, a new committee set up by Ludovico, subtracting competences and power to ordinary state courts.