From the Royal Audience in Cagliari to the University of Turin: the career of Francesco Melonda

Abstract

In 1720 Sardinia passed under the dominion of Victor Amadeus II of Savoy. The new dynasty began a process of political and administrative reorganization of the kingdom, in which Sardinian officials and magistrates were involved. One of these, Francesco Melonda judge of the Royal Audience in Cagliari was engaged in government policy that aimed to limit the prerogatives of the local clergy. In 1722 he arrested the vicar of the diocese of Oristano, accused of embezzlement. This act opened a dispute with the Church of Rome which ended in 1724. The king decided to reward the magistrate and called him in Turin to teach at the University. Melonda later became second president of the Piedmont Senate, the most important court of the Savoy state.