A Ligurian maritime commune with consuls since about 1144, forced into Provencal lordship in 1176.
Its sailors fought in Corsica and it trades with Genoa and Pisa. The coast east of it is not Provencal: Monaco's rock was granted to Genoa by Henry VI in 1191 (unbuilt until 1215), and Roquebrune and the country of the Roya belong to the counts of Ventimiglia, who hold under Genoa since 1146.
Who holds it
- Name
- The consuls, under Alfonso II's lordship
- Title
- Lord of the town
- Confidence
- medium
Lord in 1200
The count of Provence holds the lordship since Alfonso II of Aragon forced the town to submit in 1176; the consuls govern; the bishop of Nice holds his own rights.
How things stand that morning
Under Alfonso's lordship. It turns to Genoa only after his death (dedition of 1215) and is retaken in 1229.
Charter
Consulate of about 1144 with four consuls; the submission of 1176 kept the consuls under the count's lordship.
Council
Four consuls.
Militia
Sailors and galleys; campaigns in Corsica in the twelfth century.
Walls and castle
The old town and the bishop's church on the castle hill.
Trade and crafts
Coastal trade with Genoa and Pisa; salt and oil.
Places of note
- Monaco: Rock granted to Genoa by Henry VI in 1191; Genoa builds its fortress in 1215
- Roquebrune: Counts of Ventimiglia, under Genoa
Where the sources disagree
- fr.wikipedia's Histoire de Nice says the town rebelled and returned to Genoa after 'Alphonse I's' death; the dedition to Genoa is of 1215, after Alfonso II of Provence's death in 1209, so on 1 January 1200 Nice is under the count.
Primary sources for Provence
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.
- Deeds of the Counts of Barcelona, Anonymous (monks of Santa Maria de Ripoll) (first version 1162 to 1184; continued in the later 13th century; final version 1303 to 1314). The house chronicle of the counts of Barcelona.
- The Great Book of Fiefs, Various; compiled by Ramon de Caldes for Alfonso II of Aragon (compiled 1192 to 1194). The register of the count-king's feudal rights, finished a few years before 1200 and in use at Peter II's court: some 900 charters of homage, convention, oath, sale and marriage arranged by county and lineage, covering Catalonia, Roussillon, Cerdanya, Pallars, Urgell, the Carcassonne and Beziers lands of the Trencavels, Provence and Aragon.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.