Counts · Other imperial lands · as at first light, 1 January 1200

Biandrate

Once the strongest lay power between the Sesia and the Ticino, the counts were broken by the communes: Novara and Vercelli, with Milanese help, destroyed their castle of Biandrate in spring 1168; Ivrea beat Uberto's claims there in November 1193 and expelled him about two years later; and in August 1199 Novara and Vercelli divided the men of Biandrate between them and renounced their earlier accords with the counts, the last blow to the house's power.

What remains on 1 January 1200 is chiefly the Valsesia, the Alpine valley of the Sesia, where the valley communities are already reaching for self-government, and scattered castles and rights held of the communes (Mongrando of Vercelli since 1179) or near Chieri and Ivrea.

Who he is

Name
Rainerio (Raniero) of Biandrate and his nephews, the sons of Count Uberto (among them the younger Uberto, alive after 1229)
Title
Counts of Biandrate (a kin group holding in common)
Since
Uberto, son of Guido, first named 18 August 1162, probably died about 1199, leaving Rainerio the last of his generation (DBI); the exact succession on 1 January 1200 is not pinned
Born
not pinned
Family
The great comital house of the Novarese and the Valsesia, descended from Count Guido III. Uberto's brothers were Guglielmo, Lanfranco, Rainerio and Ottone (pact with the men of Biandrate, 12 March 1167). Ottone's line centred on Vercelli. Rainerio later quarrels with his nephew Uberto over Vercelli. A branch later held Visp in the Valais (thirteenth century).
Confidence
low

DBI, Uberto di Biandrate; it.wikipedia Conti di Biandrate.

Overlord

The emperor: Henry VI issued a privilege for the counts on 21 September 1196. The church of Vercelli claims the Valsesia under Barbarossa's diploma of 1152, confirmed to Bishop Albert by Henry VI on 30 November 1191.

What it holds

  • The Valsesia: lordship of the valley (Varallo, Borgosesia, Quarona, the upper valley to Alagna), claimed by the church of Vercelli
  • Mongrando in the Biellese, held in fief of Vercelli since October 1179
  • Rights and castles near Chieri (they gave up their tolls at Chieri to Asti and Chieri in November 1172) and in the Canavese (not pinned for 1200)
  • Lost: Biandrate itself (destroyed 1168; its men divided between Novara and Vercelli in August 1199), Ivrea (expelled about 1195)

How it was acquired

Comital rights of the old counties of Pombia and the Novarese, imperial grants, and the Valsesia.

Allies and rivals

Bound by treaties to the communes that are dismantling them: Vercelli (truce of 1 December 1192 sworn by Uberto and his sons), Novara, Asti (Uberto's pact of 20 December 1178 to serve Asti and live there a month each year). Rivals: Novara and Vercelli, Ivrea, the church of Vercelli in the Valsesia, the valley communities.

How things stand that morning

Diminished and divided among kinsmen; the Valsesia is still theirs, the plain is lost. Their allegiance between the communes and the emperor is not pinned for 1200.

Wealth

Valley dues, Alpine pastures and the Sesia road; their plain revenues have been shared out by the communes.

Military

Vassals of the Valsesia and their household; no figures.

Threats

  • Vercelli and Novara
  • The Valsesia communities seeking self-government
  • The church of Vercelli's claim to the valley

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. Not pinned (thirteenth century)The Valsesia communities move toward Vercelli and self-rule; Rainerio and his nephew Uberto quarrel over their rights at Vercelli.Depends on: Vercelli's pressure and the counts' division. Stopped by: A family settlement; imperial support.

Places of note

  • Biandrate: The counts' old seat, destroyed in 1168.
  • Mongrando: Castle held of Vercelli since 1179.

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: The great turning points (1168, 1193-95, August 1199) are dated by the DBI; who heads the house on 1 January 1200 and exactly what it still holds are not.

On the map: The Valsesia is drawn as the counts' lordship; in practice the valley's own communities and the church of Vercelli weigh heavily. Their castles in the Chierese and Canavese are not drawn.

Primary sources for Empire

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.

8 more in the sources library for The Rhineland, the Low Countries and the Swiss Lands.

Sources and studies

  1. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani: Uberto di Biandrate
  2. Conti di Biandrate (it.wikipedia)
  3. Valsesia (it.wikipedia)

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