A walled merchant city on the Tanaro, seat of one of Italy's oldest communes and of a bishop who once ruled it.
It lends money to the indebted marquises around it, coins its own money, and leads the league against Montferrat.
Who holds it
- Name
- Not pinned for 1 January 1200
- Title
- Podesta or consuls
- Since
- not pinned
- Confidence
- low
See Asti.
Lord in 1200
The commune of Asti (its officers on 1 January 1200 not pinned); the bishop, Bonifacio I (by May 1198 to 1206), keeps his palace and church lands but not the city.
Overlord
The emperor, under the Peace of Constance.
Allies and rivals
See Asti.
How things stand that morning
Self-governing; head of the anti-Montferrat league under truce since March 1199.
Threats
- Montferrat
- Alba
Charter
Consuls first attested 28 May 1095; mint granted by Conrad III in 1141; Frederick I's diploma of 1159 recognising the commune; Lombard League 1168; Peace of Constance 1183.
Council
Consuls and, in some years, a podesta chosen from the citizens (Enciclopedia Italiana); the councils of 1200 are not described in the sources consulted.
Communities
Not pinned for 1200.
Militia
The communal host; no figures.
Walls and castle
Walled city; the bishop's palace by the cathedral. Details for 1200 not pinned.
Trade and crafts
Trade and money-lending: Astigiani bankers bought Montferrat rights at Felizzano in 1194; Asti's merchants were becoming known in France and Flanders. The Tanaro and the roads to the Mont Cenis and to Genoa.
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)New officers take office.Depends on: The usual election date. Stopped by: Strife.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Institutions in outline only.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.