The bishop of Ceneda, at the foot of the Alps between the Piave and the Livenza, has held full comital jurisdiction over his city and its district since the Ottonian emperors, and his successors will keep the title until 1768.
The commune of Treviso has been forcing its lordship on Ceneda since 1147, and in the war of 1198-99 it took the town outright: Ceneda surrendered on 15 June 1199. On 1 January 1200 the county is occupied and the bishop is in exile with the patriarch of Aquileia. The da Camino, who hold Serravalle at the mouth of the valley and lands in the plain from the bishops, are Treviso's citizens.
Who holds it
- Name
- Matteo (of Siena)
- Title
- Bishop and count of Ceneda
- Since
- 1187 (to 1216)
- Confidence
- medium
Dates from the English Wikipedia list of bishops of Ceneda. Treccani's life of Pellegrino II says the patriarch sheltered the bishop of Ceneda, whom Treviso had driven out, so on 1 January 1200 the bishop is a refugee in Friuli. Ceneda surrendered to Treviso on 15 June 1199.
What it holds
- Ceneda: city lordship and full comital jurisdiction, with the castle of San Martino [occupied by Treviso since 15 June 1199]
- The county of Ceneda between Serravalle and the plain [extent in 1200 not pinned]
- Lands in the plain between the Piave and the Livenza granted to the da Camino as the bishops' vassals
How it was acquired
The comital title came from Otto I to Bishop Sicardo according to Italian Wikipedia, or from a diploma of 994 according to English Wikipedia. The Treccani encyclopedia says the bishops held full comital jurisdiction and kept it even against the commune.
How things stand that morning
Occupied by Treviso. The bishop shelters with Patriarch Pellegrino and belongs to the anti-Treviso alliance of the patriarch and the western Friulian lords, which has just lost the war of 1198-99.
Wealth
A small upland county on the road from the Venetian plain through Serravalle to the Piave valley and Cadore.
Threats
- Treviso's occupation of the city and county
- The da Camino acting as Treviso's men
Advocates and rivals
Treviso above all; the da Camino, lords of Serravalle and the bishops' vassals, now Treviso's citizens; the da Romano; the patriarch of Aquileia, his metropolitan and protector.
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- 20 January 1204The patriarch makes peace with Treviso at Lorenzaga on terms that largely accept Treviso's gains in the west.Depends on: Treviso keeping the upper hand from 1200 to 1203. Stopped by: A patriarchal victory or imperial intervention.
Places of note
- Castle of San Martino: The bishops' castle above Ceneda
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The surrender of 15 June 1199 is dated in Treccani's life of Guecello di Prata. The origin of the comital title is given differently by the Italian and English Wikipedia articles, and the county's extent in 1200 is not pinned.
On the map: Only the city's district is drawn, as the modern municipality of Vittorio Veneto, which also includes da Camino Serravalle; the county's extent in 1200 is not pinned.
Primary sources for Treviso
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- History of the doges of Venice (about 1229, with a continuation). The earliest surviving Venetian narrative close to the events. Read online
- Documents on the older commercial and political history of the Republic of Venice, part 1, 814 to 1205 (documents of 814 to 1205, edited 1856). Venice's treaties and privileges in full text. Read online
Sources and studies
- Diocese of Vittorio Veneto (en.wikipedia)
- Diocesi di Vittorio Veneto (it.wikipedia)
- Ceneda (Treccani, Enciclopedia Italiana)
- Prata, Guecello di (Treccani DBI)
- Pellegrino II (Treccani DBI)
- Da Camino (en.wikipedia)
- Guecellone II da Camino (en.wikipedia)
- Vittorio Veneto: Ceneda and Serravalle (magicoveneto.it)
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.