Como

Who holds it

Title

The commune of Como (podestà or consuls of 1199)

Confidence

low

Lord in 1200

The commune, under its officers of 1199 (names not pinned); the bishop, Ardizzone II (1193-1204), holds Bellinzona and the lordship of the Valtellina.

How things stand that morning

Under the commune.

Charter

Frederick I's grants: the right to choose the officials (sindaci) of the rural district (1175); the castle of Baradello and the tower of Olonio given to the church and commune (diploma of 23 October 1178). The Peace of Constance (1183).

Council

A podestà in some years (Uberto de' Olevano, podestà in 1192) and consuls in others (consuls granted Lugano partial self-government in 1191); council of the commune. Officers of 1199-1200 not pinned.

Militia

City militia and lake boats. No figures.

Walls and castle

Roman walls demolished by Milan after 1127; rebuilt after Frederick I's first descent (1154) with his approval and raised again in 1158; about 1192 the podestà Uberto de' Olevano built the Porta Torre gate tower, the city's main entrance, and three great towers on the south side. The castle of Baradello on the hill above (restored 1158, given to Como in 1178).

Trade and crafts

Lake shipping and the transit trade to the Splügen, Septimer, Lucomagno and San Bernardino passes; markets of the lake towns.

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: Twelfth-century grants sourced; officers not pinned.

Primary sources for Como

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.

• 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