Alatri, on a hill crowned by its Cyclopean acropolis, has governed itself through consuls since 1173 and held out against Henry VI's army in 1186.
It is a papal town that remembers resisting the Germans, and the rival of Ferentino.
Who holds it
- Title
- The consuls of Alatri
- Since
- 1173 (communal autonomy and first consuls)
- Confidence
- medium
it.wikipedia: Alatri won communal autonomy and elected consuls in 1173; in 1186 Henry VI's army besieged it and the city held out; a hospital existed by 1186; the church of the Maddalena by the leper house was dedicated in 1196; constant disputes with Ferentino.
Lord in 1200
The commune under papal lordship; the bishop of Alatri (Church map). The Ceccano held a share in Alatri by 1224 (DBI), not pinned for 1200.
Overlord
The pope.
Allies and rivals
Rival of Ferentino; the Carthusians of Trisulti come only in 1204.
How things stand that morning
Self-governing and loyal.
Wealth
Farms, pastures.
Military
Walls; held out in 1186.
Threats
- Ferentino
Charter
Consuls from 1173.
Council
Consuls (names not pinned).
Militia
City host.
Walls and castle
The ancient polygonal acropolis (the civita) and town walls.
Trade and crafts
Farming, herding in the Ernici mountains.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Communal dates from it.wikipedia.
On the map: The modern commune stands for its land.
Primary sources for Papal State
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.
- Annals of Montecassino; Annals of Ceccano (Fossanova) (12th and early 13th centuries; Ceccano to 1217). Two sets of annals from either side of the papal and Sicilian frontier. Read online
- Chronicle of Richard of San Germano, Richard of San Germano (first version about 1216, enlarged to 1243). The fullest southern narrative of the Hohenstaufen kingdom, written by a notary on the border of the Terra di Lavoro. Read online
- Chronicle of Alberic of Trois-Fontaines, Alberic of Trois-Fontaines (about 1227 to 1241, at the Cistercian abbey of Trois-Fontaines in Champagne). The widest net of any Latin chronicle for 1200, compiled from dozens of sources, many now lost. Read online
- Chronicle of Andres, William of Andres (about 1220 to 1234). The chronicle and cartulary of a small abbey between Guines and Ardres, near the border of Flanders and Boulogne. Read online
- Chronicle of Burchard of Ursberg, Burchard of Ursberg (about 1229 to 1230, reworked by Conrad of Lichtenau). Written a generation later by a fierce partisan of the Staufen and a critic of Innocent III. Read online
- Chronicle of Robert of Auxerre, Robert of Auxerre (Robert of Saint-Marien) (about 1190 to 1211; continued at Saint-Marien to 1227). A universal chronicle whose last twenty years are contemporary and well informed from Burgundy and the Auxerrois. Read online
- Chronicle of Roger of Howden, Roger of Howden (about 1192 to 1201). The fullest single narrative for the year. Read online
- 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
12 more in the sources library for Southern Italy and the Islands.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.