A wide kin group of former Matildine vassals spread across the Modenese and Reggian plain and hills, whose members sit in the councils of both cities.
Its lines will become the Pico of Mirandola, the Pio of Carpi and the Manfredi of Reggio. On 1 January 1200 the group's lordships in the lower Modenese plain (Mirandola, Quarantola) and in the Reggio hills (Baiso, Monte Zane) are its own, under the shadow of the two communes.
Who he is
- Name
- Not pinned as a whole; in the line that becomes the Pico, Manfredino (died 1213) is alive
- Title
- A feudal consortium (consorteria) of kin lineages
- Since
- not pinned
- Family
- Descendants of Manfredo da Limidi (died about 1096), Matilda's vassal: the da Sala, da Fregnano, da Baiso, da Gamola, da Monteveglio, da Panzano, da Baggiovara and dalla Palude lineages; later branches include the Manfredi of Reggio, the Pico of Mirandola, the Pio of Carpi and the Papazzoni
- Confidence
- low
it.wikipedia (Figli di Manfredo; Pico): probably founded by Guido di Manfredo, vassal first of Nonantola and then of Canossa; in the 12th century the group held important public offices in Reggio and Modena. Mirandola is the consortium's chief seat in the usual account, but the Pico lordship there is dated only from the 14th century; the holding of Mirandola in 1200 is not pinned.
Overlord
Former vassals of Nonantola and of Matilda; in 1200 citizens or allies of Modena and Reggio (not pinned).
What it holds
- Mirandola and Quarantola in the lower Modenese plain (the usual seat of the Pico line; not pinned for 1200)
- Baiso in the Reggio Apennines (the da Baiso, who contest Carpineti)
- Monte Zane, one of the Quattro Castella (the dalla Palude)
- Scattered rights at Limidi, Baggiovara, Panzano and elsewhere
How it was acquired
Matildine and Nonantolan vassalage of the 11th and 12th centuries.
Allies and rivals
Members hold office in Modena and Reggio; the da Baiso contend for Carpineti.
How things stand that morning
The consortium holds its castles; its branches lean to whichever city they are citizens of.
Wealth
Land and castles in the plain and the hills.
Military
Several castles; no figures.
Threats
- The communes' demand for oaths of citizenship and the surrender of castles
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The consortium and its lineages are attested in outline; which castles each held on 1 January 1200 is not pinned.
On the map: Mirandola is drawn on the strength of the later tradition; treat it as likely, not proved.
Primary sources for Modena
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.
- The Lombard city annals of Piacenza, Milan, Cremona, Parma, Mantua and Verona (kept in the 12th and 13th centuries). The communes' own year lists. Read online
Sources and studies
- Figli di Manfredo (it.wikipedia)
- Pico (famiglia) (it.wikipedia)
- Quattro Castella (it.wikipedia)
- Castello delle Carpinete (it.wikipedia)
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.