The lords of the castle of Arrone in the lower Valnerina above Terni, tied to the dukes of Spoleto, whose rule ended in 1198.
With the dukes gone they slowly lose lands and freedom to the rising commune of Spoleto, to which Arrone submits in 1229. At some date their lordship reached Papigno, Piediluco and Polino.
Who he is
- Name
- Not pinned (the family is named, no individual for 1200)
- Title
- Lords of Arrone
- Family
- Arroni, said to descend from a Roman noble, Arrone, who built the castle in the late ninth century
- Confidence
- low
Overlord
The duke of Spoleto until 1198; the pope's rector since
What it holds
- The castle of Arrone
- Valnerina castles round it (Polino and others; dates not pinned)
How it was acquired
Family lordship of the early Middle Ages.
Allies and rivals
The dukes' vassals; Spoleto's commune is the rising threat; Terni and Narni neighbours.
How things stand that morning
Holding Arrone under the pope's rector, without their ducal patron. Across the valley: Spoleto north, Terni south-west, the abbey of San Pietro in Valle at Ferentillo (a Church record) up the valley.
Wealth
The Nera valley road, mills, pasture.
Military
Castle and valley levies.
Threats
- Spoleto's commune
- Terni and Narni
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.
- 1229 (beyond 1200)Arrone submits to Spoleto.Depends on: Spoleto's growth Stopped by: a new duke
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: it.wikipedia (Arrone): only 1198 and 1229 are dated.
On the map: The extent of the lordship in 1200 is not pinned.
Primary sources for Papal State
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.
- Annals of Montecassino; Annals of Ceccano (Fossanova) (12th and early 13th centuries; Ceccano to 1217). Two sets of annals from either side of the papal and Sicilian frontier. Read online
- Chronicle of Richard of San Germano, Richard of San Germano (first version about 1216, enlarged to 1243). The fullest southern narrative of the Hohenstaufen kingdom, written by a notary on the border of the Terra di Lavoro. Read online
- Chronicle of Alberic of Trois-Fontaines, Alberic of Trois-Fontaines (about 1227 to 1241, at the Cistercian abbey of Trois-Fontaines in Champagne). The widest net of any Latin chronicle for 1200, compiled from dozens of sources, many now lost. Read online
- Chronicle of Andres, William of Andres (about 1220 to 1234). The chronicle and cartulary of a small abbey between Guines and Ardres, near the border of Flanders and Boulogne. Read online
- Chronicle of Burchard of Ursberg, Burchard of Ursberg (about 1229 to 1230, reworked by Conrad of Lichtenau). Written a generation later by a fierce partisan of the Staufen and a critic of Innocent III. Read online
- Chronicle of Robert of Auxerre, Robert of Auxerre (Robert of Saint-Marien) (about 1190 to 1211; continued at Saint-Marien to 1227). A universal chronicle whose last twenty years are contemporary and well informed from Burgundy and the Auxerrois. Read online
- Chronicle of Roger of Howden, Roger of Howden (about 1192 to 1201). The fullest single narrative for the year. Read online
- Chronicle of Sicard, bishop of Cremona, Sicard of Cremona (about 1210 to 1213). A universal chronicle whose last part is a well-placed eyewitness account by a Lombard bishop who served emperors and popes. Read online
12 more in the sources library for Southern Italy and the Islands.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.