An old abbey of the western Friulian plain whose abbot rules the village of Sesto and the abbey's lands under an immunity going back to Charlemagne, who in 781 freed its estates from any political, judicial or fiscal interference by lay officials.
Otto I placed the abbey under the patriarch of Aquileia in 967, so it is the patriarch's abbey, but it remains a lordship of its own in the war-torn west of Friuli, near the frontier with Treviso. Its advocate, Ezzelino II da Romano, has been at law with it over usurped property.
Who holds it
- Title
- Abbot of Sesto
- Since
- not pinned
- Confidence
- low
The abbots attested nearest to 1200 are Manfredo (1182) and Corrado (1213). Godfrey, abbot from 1176 to 1182, became patriarch of Aquileia in 1182, which shows how closely the patriarchs held the house.
What it holds
- Sesto al Reghena: the fortified abbey and its village
- The abbey's estates in the plain between the Livenza and the Tagliamento [list not pinned]
- Immunity from lay officials under Charlemagne's diploma of 781
How it was acquired
Founded in the Lombard period; Charlemagne, as king of the Lombards, confirmed its property and granted immunity in 781; Otto I gave it to the patriarchs of Aquileia in 967.
How things stand that morning
The abbey's lordship stands under the patriarch's protection, but western Friuli is a war zone and Treviso has the upper hand in 1199. How the abbey itself fared is not pinned.
Wealth
Rents of its farms, mills and woods in the Friulian plain [details not pinned].
Threats
- Encroachment by its advocate, Ezzelino da Romano
- The Treviso war on its doorstep
Advocates and rivals
Ezzelino II da Romano, the abbey's advocate, whom Sesto sued for usurping its property (1185-98); the patriarch of Aquileia, its overlord; Treviso and the western Friulian lords fighting around it.
Places of note
- Abbey of Santa Maria in Sylvis: The fortified abbey and its church
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The immunity of 781 and the gift of 967 are well attested; the abbot on 1 January 1200 and the extent of the abbey's lands are not.
On the map: Only the abbey's home district is drawn; its scattered estates are not.
Primary sources for Patriarchate of Aquileia
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
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.