Stamenti

In the historical context of Sicily, the term Stamenti (singular: Stamento) refers to the three estates or parliaments that constituted the Sicilian Parliament. These were bodies representing different segments of Sicilian society, holding legislative power and advising the monarch. The three Stamenti were:

• Stamento Demaniale (Royal Demesne): Representing the cities and towns directly dependent on the crown.

• Stamento Ecclesiastico (Ecclesiastical Estate): Representing the clergy, including archbishops, bishops, abbots, and other high-ranking church officials.

• Stamento Militare (Military Estate) (also sometimes called Baronial Estate): Representing the nobility, barons, and other feudal lords.

The Stamenti had the power to approve laws, levy taxes, and address grievances to the monarch. They played a significant role in Sicilian politics and governance from the medieval period until the early 19th century, when the Sicilian Parliament was reformed. The interactions and power dynamics between the Stamenti shaped the political landscape of Sicily for centuries. The composition and influence of each Stamento varied over time, reflecting broader social and economic changes.