Montecuccolo

Who he is

Title

Lords of Montecuccolo

Since

The family's fief: 1116

Family

da Montecuccolo (Montecuccoli), former vassals of Matilda

Confidence

low

it.wikipedia (Castello di Montecuccolo): a family of Matilda's vassals obtained the fief from Henry V in 1116 and built a tower and a first palace early in the 12th century; the castle was the administrative centre of the lower and middle Frignano for centuries. A Montecuccoli, Enrico, was bishop of Modena about 1156-1173. The family head in 1200 was not found.

Overlord

The emperor (Henry V's grant of 1116); Modena claims the Frignano.

What it holds

• Montecuccolo castle and the Pavullo basin
• Other castles of the lower and middle Frignano (not pinned one by one)

How it was acquired

Henry V's grant of 1116.

Allies and rivals

Rival lineages of the Frignano (struggles undated); the commune of Modena.

How things stand that morning

The family holds Montecuccolo and dominates the middle Frignano, on terms with Modena that are not pinned.

Wealth

Pasture, chestnut woods and the Apennine roads to Pistoia and Lucca.

Military

Mountain castles; no figures.

Threats

• Modena's and Bologna's claims

Places of note

• Montecuccolo castle: Seat of the family

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: The 1116 grant is on it.wikipedia; the 1200 head and the family's terms with Modena are not pinned.

On the map: The modern comune of Pavullo stands for the family's core; its other castles are not drawn.

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