A once great Aleramic marquis ruined by debt.
He sold his rights in Busca (1180) and Dogliani (1187) and his 'Lombard lands' to Boniface of Montferrat (3 November 1196). Asti blocked his sale of Loreto to Boniface (1194). In 1198 Asti, Alessandria and Vercelli invaded Loreto, took Castagnole delle Lanze and captured him; he bought his freedom by ceding Costigliole to Asti. In August 1199 he made peace with Alba (Ottone del Carretto witnessing).
On 1 January 1200 he holds what is left of the old county of Loreto between the Tanaro and the Belbo, heavily pledged to creditors at Asti and Alba.
Who he is
- Name
- Manfredi I Lancia (Manfred Lancia)
- Title
- Marquis (called marquis of Busca, 'qui Lancea dicitur')
- Since
- Active from about 1160
- Born
- First half of the twelfth century
- Family
- Second son of Guglielmo of Busca (son of Boniface del Vasto); brother of Berengario of Busca. A troubadour. Son Manfredi II Lancia, born 1185-95, his heir; probably Jordan; probably a daughter Bianca, later mother of Bianca Lancia (grandmother of King Manfred). Wife unnamed.
- Confidence
- high
en.wikipedia Manfred I Lancia (with its sources).
Overlord
Boniface of Montferrat, who infeudated him in 1196 and confirmed his census rights in Loreto at Pontestura in 1197.
What it holds
- Castagnole delle Lanze and the rest of the Loreto lands between the Tanaro and the Belbo (ceded to Asti on 4 June 1206)
- Castles named for him at Neive, Barbaresco, Boves, Beinette and Rossana (dates of holding not pinned)
How it was acquired
Inherited share of the county of Loreto from his uncles.
Allies and rivals
Vassal and ally of Montferrat; joined Asti against Boniface in 1192; at peace with Alba since August 1199; Asti is both creditor and enemy.
How things stand that morning
A broken marquis on Asti's southern edge, holding Castagnole and Loreto under Montferrat's overlordship, with his lands pledged.
Wealth
Little: his rights are pawned (he redeemed his share of Loreto from Alba through an Asti citizen on 19 March 1197).
Military
A few castles; no figures.
Threats
- Creditors at Asti and Alba
- Asti's absorption of Loreto
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.
- 1201 (beyond 1200)Alba, pressed by Asti, demands a meeting of the marquises of Montferrat, Saluzzo and Busca to settle his debts.Depends on: His unpaid creditors. Stopped by: Payment.
- 4 June 1206 (beyond 1200)Cedes Castagnole and all of Loreto to Asti.Depends on: Debt. Stopped by: A rescue by Montferrat.
Places of note
- Castagnole delle Lanze: His chief remaining castle, taken by the league in 1198.
Where the sources disagree
- Whether Castagnole was back in his hands on 1 January 1200 is inferred from the 1206 cession, not pinned.
Evidence: Well-documented through his sales and debts.
On the map: Only the core of the Loreto lands is drawn.
Primary sources for Montferrat
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 Conquest of Constantinople (Villehardouin), Geoffrey of Villehardouin (about 1207 to 1213). Opens with the preaching of Fulk of Neuilly and the tournament at Ecry (28 November 1199) where Theobald III of Champagne and Louis of Blois took the cross, then the taking of the cross by Baldwin of Flanders, Hugh of Saint-Pol, Geoffrey of Perche and others through early 1200, the assemblies at Soissons and Compiegne in 1200, and the six envoys sent to Venice in the winter of 1200 to 1201. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.