Summary:

1. The "conquest" by Charles III and southern reformism: the aspiration to the redistribution of wealth - 2. Southern reformers, ecclesiastical manomort and agrarian reform - 3. The royal assent as a condicio sine qua non of the capacity to acquire and possess of ecclesiastical bodies - 4. Ecclesiastical manumort between prevention and subversion: the amortisation laws - 5. (Continued) The prohibition of questue and the commutation of mortis causa dispositions - 6. Profiles of modernity and implementation shortcomings of attention to economic dynamics. The missed opportunity of Bourbon's jurisdictionalism.

ABSTRACT

Attention to the economic dimension is one of the main characteristics of Neapolitan jurisdictionalism: in the South of Italy the attention of the 'enlightened' reformers focused more on practical than on theoretical issues: within this 'pragmatic' perspective, economic issues appear to be of central importance, in accordance, moreover, with the Genoese lesson. Parthenopean regalism succeeded, at least in certain respects, in surpassing contemporary jurisdictionalist experiences, apparently more innovative, but in reality more tied to the conceptual and ideological categories of the ancien régime (e.g., Habsburg): it lacked, however, the energy, coherence and courage necessary to fully and constantly implement the aspirations and reform instances, although lucidly perceived.