The bishops' town at the foot of the Alps.
On 12 April 1160 Bishop Uguccione founded the hilltop borough of the Piazzo with market, butchery and jurisdiction privileges so that the town would stay the bishops'. Not the commune of Vercelli's; the bishop's lordship lasts until 1377.
Who holds it
- Name
- Albert (Alberto Avogadro), bishop since 1185
- Title
- Bishop of Vercelli
- Since
- 1185
- Confidence
- high
Church map record Biella; campaign notes.
Lord in 1200
The bishop of Vercelli, lord of Biella and its valleys (Church map), ruling from his castle on the Piazzo.
Overlord
The emperor (Charles the Fat's grant of 882 to the church of Vercelli).
Allies and rivals
The commune of Vercelli and the townsmen of Biella.
How things stand that morning
The bishop's town.
Charter
Bishop Uguccione's grant to the settlers of the Piazzo, 12 April 1160.
Council
Townsmen's community under the bishop.
Fairs and markets
Market at the Piazzo (1160).
Walls and castle
The bishop's castle on the Piazzo.
Trade and crafts
Wool country (its cloth industry grows later).
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: From the Church map record.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.