Academic literature on the topic 'Mezzogiorno medievale'

CITTADINANZA E COMUNITÀ IN ITALIA MERIDIONALE TRA IL 1100 E 1220 CIRCAQuesto articolo analizza l'uso della parola ‘cittadino’ (civis) nei documenti cartacei dell'Italia meridionale dal tardo XI agli inizi del XIII secolo. Lo studio si focalizza su un campione di otto città, che vengono usate come case-studies per mostrare cosa il concetto di cittadinanza puo aver implicato nel mezzogiorno di epoca medievale. I dati a disposizione suggeriscono che in questa fase si afferma un uso emergente della parola civis, e contestualmente una crescente consapevolezza della nozione di cittadinanza. Questi sviluppi possono essere spiegati attraverso una serie di ragioni, primariamente concernenti più ampi cambiamenti nella vita urbana, nella identità civica e governativa. Comunque è evidente che il concetto di cittadinanza, come appare nel materiale documentario, rimase un concetto altamente flessibile in questo periodo, pieno di ambiguità. Questa conclusione sulla cittadinanza si adatta all'amorfo ordine sociale delle comunità urbane di epoca medievale.

THE CONFLICT BETWEEN LEO III ISAURICO AND THE PAPACY BETWEEN 725 AND 733 AND THE ‘DEFINITIVE’ BEGINNING OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD IN ROME: A HYPOTHESIS UNDER DISCUSSIONThis paper aims to bring to the fore an aspect of Italian history between the end of the sixth century and the first half of the eighth century which has been considered rarely to date: that is, the continuity of the strong economic ties between Rome and some regions of the Mezzogiorno, in particular Sicily and, to a lesser extent, Calabria. Thanks to the large papal estates in these regions, Rome continued throughout these centuries to secure for herself a considerable part of her own food supply through long distance provisioning, as she had done before the end of the Roman Empire in the West. In the context of extremely marked contractions of exchange and commerce, which were affecting all of western Europe at that time, this system appears to be an anomalous anachronism. However, it continued to function until external factors intervened (fiscal measures adopted by the Emperor of Byzantium, Leo III, between 724 and 733). The laborious reorganisation of the papal economic interests was probably one of the reasons why the popes were compelled to think of the idea of creating a regional political seigniory.

2017 - 2018
The doctoral thesis focuses on thè investigation of thè development and religious, patrimonial, financial and dialectical dynamics implemented by thè Cistercian abbeys in regnum Siciliae, with particular reference to thè monasteries of thè Continental Mezzogiorno, in a chronological are from thè mid-twelfth century (when thè Cistercians arrived in South of Italy), until thè end of thè fifteenth century. In order to deepen some aspeets of long duration, we can also take into account information that can be deduced from sources of modern age and some functional references to thè abbeys of Sicilia have not been left out. Interest and originality of thè research consist in having eliminated thè lack of studies that have deepened this theme, thus demonstrating thè not at all irrelevant role of Cistercian monasticism in southern Italy. In fact, thè research has allowed thè detection and subsequent analysis of thè unpublished material from thè archives of thè abbeys of thè SS. Trinità of Cava de’ Tirreni and Montecassino, from thè archive of thè Società Napoletana di Storia Patria, from thè diocesan historical archives of Salerno and Potenza, from thè Archivi di Stato of Naples, of Rome and of Potenza, from thè Archivio Storico Capitolino, thè Secret Archive and thè Vatican Library and thè National Library of Naples. The work is structured in two interrelated parts, both composed of five chapters. In thè first part, anticipated by a premise dedicated to thè sources and studies on thè subject, are highlighted origins, developments, relationships and activities that have characterized thè Cistercian abbeys of thè whole Continental Mezzogiorno, with some reference also to thè Sicilian monasteries where thè treatment require. In thè second section thè events related to some, specific, monasteries are illustrated in detail, i.e. S. Maria della Ferraria near Vairano Patenora (dioceses of Teano), S. Pietro della Canonica, at thè gates of Amalfi, S. Maria di Realvalle near Scafati e S. Maria del Sagittario near Chiaromonte (dioceses of Anglona). In a further chapter, I examine a series of small monasteries that thè sources or thè tradition lead back to those inhabited by white monks but whose testimonies are very dubious. In particular, we deal with thè peculiar case of thè monastery of S. Leonardo de Strato in thè archdiocese of Salerno which, although in one of thè first documents relating to it was inhabited by Cistercian monks, was subjected to episcopal jurisdiction in such a way as to prevent fact, an effective affiliation to thè Order. In both sections there are numerous and essential references to thè Roman abbeys of Casamari and Fossanova, whose events are intimately linked to thè diffusion and organization of thè Cistercians in Mezzogiorno. The study reveals thè deep relationship between thè abbeys and thè locai context that, in some cases, allows comparisons with what is attested in other areas of thè Peninsula and induces to re-evaluate thè ability of thè South-Italy Cistercians to attract thè devotion from thè laity. In thè same way, thè interest for thè insertion in urban circuits that characterizes different abbeys shows a modus operandi quite unlike that found among thè counterparts of north-western Italy. A fundamental question must also be remembered: thè objective distortion caused by thè documentary loss that has struck both thè monastic archives and thè regnum Chancelleries. This has certainly contributed to creating an image of thè Cistercians as a completely minority reality within thè southern monastic panorama, whereas, on thè contrary, to a more in-depth research, several communities show they have exercised a sure influence on their territories. [edited by Author]
XXXI ciclo

This PhD thesis concerns the politic relations between towns and monarchy in the Kingdom of Naples at the end of the Middle Ages, by the case study of L’Aquila. In the first chapter I analyze the institutions of the town and their changes between 14th and 15th centuries. Thereafter I examine the political processes of the institutions, that is the ways the local elite used to rule the city and to preserve its power. In the second chapter I consider the social groups which had a political importance (merchants, notaries, legum doctores) and the problem of the urban aristocracy. In the second part of the chapter I analyze the local elite. In the third chapter I examine the figure of Pietro Lalle Camponeschi, count of Montorio, his feudal power, his hegemony in the city and his ability to influence the relations between town and monarchy. Moreover I consider his role as leader of a faction. The fourth chapter focuses on the ways of demonstrating fidelity, the relations between urban fiscal system and royal fiscal system, those between urban justice and royal justice, the diplomatic network of the town and the flows of citizens in the royal administration. In the last chapter I analyze two aspects of the town-monarchy relations. The first part is about the power of the royal captain and the dialectic between this public official, the citizens and the monarchy. The second part concerns the mission of the royal lieutenant Antonio Cicinello (1476), which was the first direct intervention of the monarchy in the local political life.

The work concerns the abbey of Montevergine (Mercogliano, Italy) and its congregation from the origins (1126 ca.) to 1250. The first section outlined the abbey’s growth and consolidation up to XVI century, focusing on the creation of an extended network of depending religious houses; the second one is about the community’s normative sources and its inner organization; in the third section the point at issue is the rise of the monastic lordship. An historiographic introduction and four appendixes integrate the text.

2008 - 2009
The purpose and originality of the research focus on a systematic study on a wide and complex peripheral territory such as the south-eastern area of the Principality of Salerno and of those areas hardly disputed both with Lucania and the current area around Cosenza (Calabria). A further goal is to show the institutional transformations that occurred in the 9th and 10th century while defining the civilian and ecclesiastical systems in the given areas. Despite the importance of the area, nobody has ever carried out an in-depth analysis and the topic was only vaguely touched on or completely avoided. The reasons for this are a lack of sources and of an interdisciplinary commitment aiming at using different sources (documents, chronicles, hagiographies) and archaeological evidence from excavations in the area in order to compensate. The study relied on expertise in different fields, a critical approach to the sources, to diplomatics and to Greek and Latin Paleographies. The political and institutional autonomy of Lombards from the South avoids the spreading of Carolingian habits commonly in use in the rest of the Western Empire such as the feudatorybeneficial relationship or the Cortense dual system based on the obligation of workmanship. The practice of political favouritism in Southern principalities is based on giving out positions and public titles, funds political and personal relationships that are different from those typical of the Frank feudalism. A key element to establish the balance of powers in Southern Lombardian territories is the influence of the city and imperial aristocracy at the expense of the royal power, weak and unable to stop these elites. It is limited to the Palace and the Royal Court. The power is split equally between prince and aristocracy, not on a vertical hierarchy like in byzantine administration or in the many different institutions in Northern Italy. Territorial administration is under responsibility of Chamberlains, who originally may have been officers related to fiscal assets, that during the 9th century, after the Byzantine reconquest and under the influence of Ludwig II, take a more political and military connotation related to strategic areas. Earlier than in the north, the most important Chamberlains gain here the title of count. It’s an honorific title not related to the exercise of feudal powers like in the rest of Italy. Starting from the 10th century the power of the prince is centralized and strengthened. The palace in Salerno plays now a major institutional role. Rural land officers practice within the palace even if the controversy involves farmers. The influence of the prince is clear and stronger in the reorganization of peripheral districts (Cilento above them all)... [edited by Author]
VIII n.s.

La tematica relativa al regime signorile della terra, diverso e preesistente a quello feudale, è stata scarsamente sviluppata in Italia meridionale rispetto all’attenzione che ha suscitato nel Regno Italico. Qui gran parte degli studi ha evidenziato la struttura politico-istituzionale e le differenze tipologiche del modello signorile. Nel Mezzogiorno peninsulare la signoria ha rappresentato un fenomeno di lunga durata che ha condizionato profondamente gli aspetti socio-economici e politici del territorio fin oltre il XVIII secolo. La signoria fu la struttura portante dell’assetto politico e sociale locale. La sua genesi risiede nello sfruttamento della ricchezza fondiaria e nella patrimonializzazione di un potere di natura pubblica. Si sostanzia in un rapporto di sudditanza e di dipendenza tra chi esercitava la giurisdizione signorile e i residenti di un territorio. I preziosi contributi sulla signoria meridionale sono stati finora offerti da storici d’Oltralpe. Solo alcuni di loro, in studi a carattere regionale, si sono avvalorati di un apporto documentario consistente per indagare il fenomeno signorile e le modalità di esercizio del proprio potere. Altri si sono rivolti ad analizzare una situazione più circoscritta, spesso incentrata nell’analisi delle modalità di gestione del patrimonio da parte di enti ecclesiastici o monastici, titolari di signorie fondiarie. Si pensi ai lavori di J.-M. Martin sulla Puglia e di L. Feller sull’Abruzzo, per quanto riguarda i fenomeni regionali; C. Wickham e P. Toubert, in particolare sul ruolo dell’incastellamento della Sabina e la tipologia signorile rappresentata da San Vincenzo al Volturno. Il lavoro di ricerca mira a qualificare e quantificare le modalità di esercizio dei poteri pubblici signorili connessi alla gestione dei patrimoni laici ed ecclesiastici, attraverso lo studio e il censimento sistematico della documentazione edita del Mezzogiorno peninsulare, in un arco cronologico compreso tra IX e XIII secolo. Si è potuto in questo modo proporre una catalogazione delle molteplici forme del potere signorile, l’esistenza e la composizione delle relazioni di subordinazione tra titolare e concessionari coinvolti nella conduzione del patrimonio. Inoltre è stato possibile, in rari casi, valutare la struttura della rendita signorile, gli investimenti, le forme di gestione, il rapporto tra assetti insediativi e dominato. Lo studio della fisionomia signorile attraverso i documenti ha consentito un’analisi più articolata del fenomeno, mostrano nella realtà fattuale e nel contesto storico-geografico di riferimento l’esercizio di poteri di natura pubblica da parte dei titolari della ricchezza. La raccolta di una quantità così elevata di fonti ha aperto gli orizzonti sulle molteplici potenzialità di ricerca e di approfondimento. La signoria rurale esercita un dominio pervasivo e capillare all’interno del territorio. Una forma di controllo che interessa tutti gli aspetti della vita reale di un individuo, dalle semplici forme di locazione ai più semplici processi produttivi. Una signoria in grado di esprimersi nelle titolarità di poteri pubblici, nella gestione di terre e uomini, nell’esercizio di diritti sulle persone oltre che sui beni.
The issue concerning the seigneurial regime of the land, different and preexisting to the feudalism, was poorly developed in southern Italy compared to the attention that has filled the North. Here most of the studies reported political-institutional system and typological differences of the seigneurial model. In the South of Italy lordship it has been a long-term phenomenon that has deeply affected the socio-economic and political aspects of the area until after the eighteenth century. The lordship was the political set-supporting structure and local social. Its genesis lies in the exploitation of landed wealth and power in the capital of a public nature. It is embodied in a relationship of subordination and dependency between those who exercised the seigneurial jurisdiction and the other man of an area. The valuable contributions on the southern dominion have been offered so far by historians across the Alps. Only a few of them, in regional studies, have corroborated a significant contribution documentary to investigate the phenomenon and seigneurial manner of exercise of its power. Others have turned to analyze a more circumscribed situation, often centered in the analysis of the mode of management of the assets by ecclesiastical or monastic authorities, lordships land owners. Consider the works of Martin J.-M. on Puglia and L. Feller on Abruzzo, regarding regional phenomena; C. Wickham and P. Toubert, in particular on the role of battlements of Sabina and the manor type represented by San Vincenzo al Volturno. The research aims to qualify and quantify the manner of exercising the seigneurial public authorities in connection with asset management laity and clergy, through the study and the systematic census of published documentation of the peninsular South, in a chronological period between the ninth and thirteenth centuries . It was possible in this way propose a classification of the multiple forms of the noble power, the existence and composition of subordination relations between the owner and dealers involved in the management of the assets. It was also possible, in rare cases, evaluate the structure of the seigneurial annuity, investment, forms of management, the relationship between settlement structure and dominated. The study of seigneurial powers appearance through documents has allowed a more comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon, show the factual reality and in the historical and geographical context of reference, the exercise of powers by the public nature of wealth holders. The collection of such a large amount of sources has opened the field on multiple research potential and depth. The rural lordship exerts a pervasive and widespread domain within the territory. A form of control that affects all aspects of the real life of an individual, with simple shapes lease to simpler production processes. A lordship able to express themselves in the ownership of public authorities in the management of lands and men, in the exercise of rights on individuals as well as on the goods.

The essay provides an overview on fiefs and seigneurial powers in the Kingdom of Naples in the Aragonese era, on the base of findings and research issues drawn on the serie Relevi kept at the Archivio di Stato of Naples. It includes discussions on demographic development and settle- ment patterns, successions, government and productive structures, the territorial vocation, the process of “monumentalization” of the seigneurie in the medieval and early-modern southern sources.