Barons and castellans · The Corsican lords · as at first light, 1 January 1200

Avogari

The lords of the castle on the rock of Nonza on the western side of Cap Corse, the long finger of mountains north of Bastia.

With Pisan support they took the districts of Brando, Olcani, Pietracorbara and Sisco from the rival Peverelli in 1109, added Canari and Ogliastro in 1167 and held the middle third of the cape from 1168. In 1197-1198 they joined the Genoese family association of the Gentile, becoming the Avogari-Gentile, and in 1198 seized the Peverelli fief and the Delle Suere fief of Cagnano and put the Da Campo lords of Luri under their tutelage. On 1 January 1200 they are the strongest lords of the cape and newly tied to Genoa.

The dates come from a local tradition reported by French Wikipedia and are not checked against charters.

Who he is

Name
The Avogari kin; no individual pinned for 1200
Title
Lords (signori) of Nonza and Olmeta
Since
Before 1109 at Nonza and Olmeta (fr.wikipedia)
Family
Avogari, known as Avogari-Gentile after entering the Genoese family association (albergo) of the Gentile in 1197-1198
Confidence
low

fr.wikipedia's Nonza page, drawing on local histories

Overlord

Pisa's overlordship of Corsica; their tie to Genoa's Gentile since 1197-1198 pulls them to Genoa.

What it holds

  • The castle of Nonza and the fief of Nonza-Olmeta
  • Canari and Ogliastro (from 1167)
  • Brando, Olcani, Pietracorbara and Sisco (from 1109)
  • The Delle Suere fief of Cagnano and the Peverelli fief (seized 1198)
  • Tutelage over the Da Campo lords of Luri (1198)

How it was acquired

Inheritance and conquest, with Pisan help in 1109 and 1167.

Allies and rivals

Rivals: the Peverelli (who sell their remaining rights to the Genoese Ansaldo Da Mare in 1246). Allies: Pisa in the twelfth century; the Genoese Gentile from 1197-1198.

How things stand that morning

Held on 1 January 1200 (thin).

Wealth

The cape's wine and oil, fishing, a coast on the route between Genoa, Pisa and Corsica.

Military

The castle of Nonza; kin and vassals.

Threats

  • The Peverelli's claims
  • Pisan displeasure at their Genoese turn

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.

  1. Beyond 1200: 1246-1250The Genoese admiral Ansaldo Da Mare buys the Peverelli rights (1246) and takes the north of the cape from the Avogari (1248-1250).

Places of note

  • Castle of Nonza: Seat; destroyed by Genoa in 1489

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: A single tertiary source with precise dates drawn from local histories; treat as tradition.

On the map: District names from a local tradition; the north of the cape (Rogliano, Ersa, Centuri) is left to the Corsica colour (Peverelli and lesser lords, not pinned).

Primary sources for Corsica

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.

Sources and studies

  1. Nonza (fr.wikipedia), for the Avogari, the Peverelli and the lords of Cap Corse
  2. Histoire de la Corse (fr.wikipedia)

Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.