Town · Kingdom of Sicily under the regency · as at first light, 1 January 1200

Monte Sant'Angelo

A mountain town on the Gargano round the cave-church of St Michael the Archangel, one of the great pilgrimages of Latin Christendom, visited by popes and by crusaders on their way to the Apulian ports.

Its Norman castle is a royal fortress and prison. It was the centre of Queen Joan's dower (1177-1189).

Who holds it

Name
The crown's castellan (not pinned): see Honour of Monte Sant'Angelo
Title
Town of the Honour of Monte Sant'Angelo
Confidence
low

Lord in 1200

The head of the Honour of Monte Sant'Angelo, most likely in the crown's hands that winter (see Honour of Monte Sant'Angelo).

How things stand that morning

Crown land under the regency (holder not pinned).

Walls and castle

The Norman castle on the height, used as a royal prison.

Trade and crafts

Pilgrims and their offerings; inns, guides and relic-sellers; Gargano oil and timber.

Where the sources disagree

Evidence: it.wikipedia (Monte Sant'Angelo); holder in 1200 not pinned.

Primary sources for Sicily

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.

7 more in the sources library for Southern Italy and the Islands.

Sources and studies

  1. Monte Sant'Angelo (it.wikipedia)

Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.