From Decisive Weapons to Financial Burden. The Use of Galleons and the Naval Policy in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany between the 16th and 17th Centuries (original) (raw)

2024, 6th Mediterranean Maritime History Network Conference, Institute for Mediterranean Studies(IMS/FORTH), Rethymnon, Greece, 27-31 May, 2024

This proposal aims to examine the use of galleons in the navy of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in the late 16th and early 17th centuries in the context of the evolution of Mediterranean warfare and naval technology. In the second half of the 16th century, the Tuscan navy, like many Mediterranean states, predominantly relied on rowing galleys, managed by the Knightly Order of Santo Stefano. However, as the 17th century approached, there was a significant shift towards employing heavily armed tall ships, either built locally or obtained from foreign sources. This transformation was fuelled by the ambitions of Ferdinando I (r. 1587-1609), the third Grand Duke of Tuscany, who aimed to expand Tuscan influence in the Mediterranean, both defensively and by projecting naval power into the Levant and North African coasts. English and Dutch seamen, drawn to the Tuscan port of Livorno, also played a crucial role in driving this change. The use of galleons proved profitable, enabling the capture of substantial spoils during raids against Turkish and North African vessels, and facilitating ambitious expeditions such as the 1607 attack on Cyprus and the 1608 assault on the Ottoman merchant fleet. The great ships also proved to be important symbols of power and prestige for the Grand Duke in the ongoing competition for primacy with rival powers on the Italian peninsula. However, these advantages came with high maintenance costs, logistical challenges, and a reliance on foreign expertise and resources due to Tuscany's limited naval tradition and industry. As the Mediterranean landscape evolved and the profitability of Tuscan actions diminished, the Grand Duchy gradually phased out its tall ships. What had once been a powerful asset became a financial burden, leading the Medici rulers to consider alternatives such as renting out their fleet and retaining only a few galleys. In summary, the use of tall ships in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany's navy marked a significant episode in its maritime history, reflecting the challenges of maintaining a formidable naval presence amidst changing circumstances in the Mediterranean.