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

Troia

Troia, on its ridge over the Capitanata, was founded by the Byzantine governor Basil Boioannes in 1019 as a frontier fortress and soon became a bishopric under the pope's direct authority, famous for its cathedral and its bronze doors of the 1110s and 1120s.

Its bishop since 1189 is Walter of Palear, of an Abruzzese noble family, Henry VI's chancellor from 1195, imprisoned by Constance in 1197-98 and freed at the pope's request, and now the head of the king's household council at Palermo. In late 1199, after Archbishop Bartholomew of Palermo died, Walter had the Palermo chapter elect him; he will take possession in March 1200 while keeping Troia. On 1 January 1200 Walter is in Sicily with the boy king, not in Troia.

Who holds it

Name
Walter of Palear (Gualtiero di Pagliara), bishop of Troia since 25 October 1189 and chancellor of the kingdom; the city's own officers not pinned
Title
City and see of the chancellor
Confidence
high

Lord in 1200

The king's city, whose bishop is the chancellor Walter of Palear, the dominant man of the regency council. The see of Troia is exempt, subject directly to the pope. Walter's own fiefs in the Capitanata include Salpi and Tressanti (dated only later).

How things stand that morning

The chancellor's see; the city follows the regency; no German presence.

Charter

Old privileges from the Norman dukes and kings, and the pope's protection of the see (dates not pinned).

Council

Royal officers and judges; the bishop's household. A civic tradition of its own (not pinned for 1200).

Communities

Latin townsmen; the cathedral clergy.

Militia

Citizens' levy; no figures.

Walls and castle

Walled hill city (destroyed by Frederick II in 1229, later).

Trade and crafts

Grain and pasture of the Tavoliere edge; the road from Benevento into Apulia.

What the year holds

What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.

  1. March 1200Walter of Palear takes possession of Palermo while remaining bishop of Troia; the pope disavows his legate's consent and offers him only the administration of Palermo.Depends on: The Palermo election of late 1199 standing Stopped by: The pope quashing it at once
  2. November 1200 to late 1201Walter breaks with the pope over the favour shown to Walter of Brienne, admits Markward to the household council (November 1200), and is excommunicated and deposed in the second half of 1201. His forces and Diepold's are crushed by Brienne near Canne on 22 October 1201; with his brother Manerio he takes refuge in 'the faithful Salpi'.Depends on: Walter fearing Brienne and papal control Stopped by: A settlement between Walter and Innocent

Places of note

  • Cathedral of Troia: Exempt see of the chancellor

Where the sources disagree

  • campaign notes (Part 6 E): 'TROIA. WALTER OF PALEAR, bishop and chancellor of Sicily; holds Palermo and the boy king for the regency council' and ruling 4 (Palermo). The Federiciana (Houben) says Archbishop Bartholomew died in late 1199 and Walter had himself elected; he took possession only in March 1200. So on 1 January Palermo's see is vacant or Walter is archbishop-elect, and Bartholomew is dead.

Evidence: Walter's career from the Federiciana (Houben); the city's institutions 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. Gualtiero di Palearia, Enciclopedia Federiciana (H. Houben, treccani.it)
  2. Gualtiero di Pagliara, Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani (treccani.it)
  3. Foggia, Enciclopedia Federiciana (treccani.it)

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