Britannica Sources used in this answer

What did the Peace of Constance of 1183 mean for Milan?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

People walk and shop inside the ornate Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy, with its glass-domed roof, decorative mosaics, and luxury store entrances. — Milan Shoppers in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan.

The Peace of Constance, signed in 1183, was a pivotal turning point for Milan following its long struggle against the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa.

For Milan, the agreement meant the restoration of its communal liberties and jurisdiction. While the emperor retained the formal fealty of the Lombard cities, the treaty effectively recognized the autonomy of the commune after years of conflict, including the city's destruction in 1162 and its subsequent role in the Lombard League victory at the Battle of Legnano in 1176.12

By securing these privileges, Milan was able to move past the imperial attempts to suppress its independence. This newfound stability allowed the city to enter a period of significant economic florescence that lasted for the next 100 years.2