Ferentino, a walled hill city on the Via Latina, is the seat of the pope's rector and garrison for the Campagna and Marittima.
It keeps its own statute and officers under his eye, and quarrels with its neighbour Alatri.
Who holds it
- Title
- The commune of Ferentino
- Since
- Twelfth century
- Confidence
- medium
it.wikipedia: one of the first free communes, with its own statute from the twelfth century; from 1198 to 1557 the capital of the Campagna and Marittima, Innocent III's 'privileged seat'; the cathedral of SS. Giovanni e Paolo built in 1108. Gregorovius lists it among the communes with their own statutes. Alatri is its rival, with 'continual disputes' (it.wikipedia, Alatri). The castle of Porciano (Castrum Porciani), in Ferentino's territory, was bought by Oddone Colonna (it.wikipedia, Colonna).
Lord in 1200
The commune, with the pope's rector of the Campagna and Marittima seated in the city since 1198.
Overlord
The pope.
Allies and rivals
Rival of Alatri.
How things stand that morning
Rector's seat; loyal.
Wealth
Farms and road traffic.
Military
Walls, acropolis, papal garrison.
Threats
- Alatri
Charter
Own statute from the twelfth century.
Council
Consuls (not pinned).
Militia
City host; the papal garrison.
Walls and castle
Ancient polygonal walls and acropolis; the cathedral on the acropolis (1108).
Trade and crafts
The Via Latina; the rector's court.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The rector's seat is attested from 1198; its communal officers are not.
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.