The Rossi are one of Parma's leading citizen families, with land at San Secondo on the lower Taro.
In 1164 Bernardo and Sigifredo, grandsons of Orlando Rosso, won back a quarter of the lordship of San Secondo in a lawsuit against the cathedral chapter. In 1199 Orlando Rossi led the city's army as podestà and routed the Piacentini on the Taro.
Who he is
- Name
- Orlando Rossi
- Title
- Leading member of the family
- Since
- not pinned
- Born
- before 1170
- Family
- Rossi of Parma; Ugo Rossi is named with Orlando in 1210; Bernardo Rossi (late 12th century to 1248), later podestà of Modena, Siena, Reggio and Asti, belongs to the next generation
- Confidence
- medium
it.wikipedia lists Orlando Rossi (before 1170 to after 1212) as podestà of Parma, Modena and Cremona without dates; it.wikipedia (Storia di Parma) makes him the podestà who led Parma's army over the Taro on 19 June 1199. Who heads the family as a whole that winter is not pinned.
Overlord
Citizens of the commune of Parma.
What it holds
- A quarter of the lordship of San Secondo, recovered from the cathedral chapter in 1164 (the rest is the chapter's)
- Lands at San Secondo granted out in fief by Orlando and Ugo Rossi in 1210 (later evidence of the same holding)
How it was acquired
Lawsuit against the chapter of Parma, 1164.
Allies and rivals
The commune of Parma, whose army Orlando led in 1199; the cathedral chapter, co-lord of San Secondo.
How things stand that morning
The family holds its share of San Secondo; Orlando Rossi is the hero of the Taro victory, and either still podestà or just out of office.
Wealth
Land at San Secondo and in the city.
Military
A knightly family of the city host.
Threats
- Piacentine reprisals on the Taro
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Two Wikipedia pages; the Rossi castles of later centuries (San Secondo, Felino, Corniglio) are not attested for 1200.
On the map: A small disc for a shared lordship.
Primary sources for Parma
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.
- Chronicle of Sicard, bishop of Cremona, Sicard of Cremona (about 1210 to 1213). A universal chronicle whose last part is a well-placed eyewitness account by a Lombard bishop who served emperors and popes. Read online
- 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
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.