The port on the south-west coast where the Arabs first landed in 827, a Norman castle town (Count Roger's castle of 1073) and bishop's see since 1093, giving its name to the whole western third of the island (the Val di Mazara).
It lies in the country Markward and his Muslim allies are fighting over.
Who holds it
- Name
- Not pinned that winter (royal before October 1199)
- Title
- Royal town and bishop's see
- Since
- not pinned
- Confidence
- low
Lord in 1200
Royal town and the see of the bishop of Mazara (a Church map record, founded 1093); who controls it that winter is not pinned.
How things stand that morning
Disputed ground: no source read says whether Markward or the regency holds it on 1 January.
Council
No commune: the town is governed by the king's officers (a bailiff, baiulus, for markets, weights, measures and the grain supply, and royal judges), under the justiciar and the royal fiscal bureau at Palermo.
Communities
Latins, Greeks, many Muslims, Jews.
Walls and castle
Walls and Count Roger's castle (1073).
Trade and crafts
The crossing to Africa, fishing, grain of the west.
Places of note
- Castle and cathedral: Count Roger's castle (1073) and the see (1093)
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Nothing specific for 1199-1200.
On the map: Near land about 7 km round the town.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.