Arcielda Candiano

Arcielda Candiano (fl. c927 - 959) was Dogaressa of Venice.

She was possibly the child of a Venetian and a captive Slav woman, and became the wife of Doge Pietro III Candiano (942 - 959). Her name is sometimes given as Richielda.

With the death of her husband (959) Arcielda retired to become a nun, though she inherited, through the terms of Pietro's will, a vineyard and other property in the marchese of Veneto, which she gave to the nuns of San Zaccaria. Her two sons were Doge Pietro IV Candiano (930 - 976) and Domenigo Candiano, Bishop of Torcello. Her daughter Elena Candiano and her future husband Gerardo Guoro were the original persons upon whom the English dramatist William Shakespeare based his story "Romeo and Juliet".

ources

E.Staley, "The Dogaressas of Venice", London (c1910)