Pope John XIX had in 1024 confirmed…

Pope John XIX had in 1024 confirmed the right of Otto Orseolo, Doge of Venice, to hold Grado and had confirmed the patriarchal rights of his see vis-à-vis Aquileia.

Otto has continued to use church appointments to his own personal and familial advantage. however, and the enemies of the Orseoli in Venice, with popular support, move to depose him in 1026.

They arrest him, shave his beard, and banish him to Constantinople.

There he is well received by Constantine VIII, the uncle of his sister-in-law, who repeals trade privileges previously granted to the Republic under Pietro II Orseolo.

Not for nothing has Otto built up a good rapport with the emperors of Europe: the Holy Roman Emperor Conrad II likewise revokes Venetian trade privileges in response to his deposition.

Although the people have Venice have spoken out against hereditary monarchy, Otto’s successor, Pietro Barbolano, will never fully able to win over the Venetians as he is not nearly as charismatic as the two previous Doges from the Orseolo family.