Le mura di Domodossola tra diritto e potere. Prime considerazioni storico-giuridiche su una vertenza nell’Ossola medievale (1318-1321)

The Domodossola Walls Trial (1318-1321) exemplifies jurisdictional tensions between episcopal power and local autonomy in medieval Italy. Initially sparked by the unauthorized construction of fortifications, the dispute evolved into a broader legal confrontation over statutory law, custom, and imperial privileges. The case, ultimately settled through arbitration, highlights the role of legal negoti- ation in power struggles and raises questions about how Alpine communities shaped their autonomy. This study offers an initial analysis, exploring the interac- tion between written law and custom, as well as law’s function as a political tool.