Bishop's city and commune on the Tanaro at the gate of the Langhe, rival of Asti.
The arbitration between Boniface of Montferrat and Asti was given at Alba on 11 February 1197. Alba held Manfredi Lancia's pledges and made peace with him in August 1199; in 1200 the lords of Manzano give it their castle. It is at odds with Asti and makes peace only on 22 May 1201.
Who holds it
- Title
- Consuls or podesta of the commune
- Since
- not pinned
- Confidence
- low
No list found.
Lord in 1200
The commune of Alba, with its bishop.
Overlord
The emperor (Alba swore the Peace of Constance).
Allies and rivals
Rival of Asti; at peace with Manfredi Lancia since August 1199; later (1204) ally of the Aleramic marquises against Asti and Cuneo.
How things stand that morning
Self-governing; drawing the lords south of the Tanaro to its side against Asti.
Threats
- Asti
Charter
Peace of Constance 1183.
Militia
The communal host; no figures.
Walls and castle
Walled city; details not pinned.
Trade and crafts
Market of the Langhe and the Tanaro road.
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.
- 1200 (date not pinned)The lords of Manzano give their castle to Alba.Depends on: Alba's courting of the lords against Asti. Stopped by: Asti's counter-offer.
- 22 May 1201 (beyond 1200)Peace with Asti.Depends on: Exhaustion of the quarrel. Stopped by: A decisive war.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Dated acts from the DBI and en.wikipedia; institutions not pinned.
Sources and studies
- Ottone del Carretto (en.wikipedia)
- Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani: Bonifacio I, marchese di Monferrato
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.