Treaty of Mignano

Quick Facts: Who was Treaty of Mignano?

Subject:

Treaty of Mignano

Known for:

The 1139 peace treaty ending decades of war in the Italian Mezzogiorno.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Treaty of Mignano of 1139 was the treaty which ended more than a decade of constant war in the Italian Mezzogiorno following the union of the mainland duchy of Apulia and Calabria with the County of Sicily in 1127. In 1130, Antipope Anacletus II had crowned Roger II king. The legitimate pope, Innocent II, did not recognise this title and many of Roger's peninsular vassals took exception to his exercising royal authority over them.

Career & Major Achievements

Over the decade of the 1130s, Roger defeated his vassals one by one until in 1137, the Emperor Lothair II came down with the pope and conquered most of the south. Lothair's death deprived the southern barons of their support, however, and Roger quickly reconquered his territories. In 1139 the papal-imperial duke of Apulia, Ranulf of Alife, died.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Innocent and the dispossessed Prince Robert II of Capua marched to reassert their authority. At Galluccio, Roger's son ambushed the papal troops with only a thousand knights and captured the pope and his entourage. Three days later, on 25 July at Mignano, Innocent confirmed the elder Roger as rex Siciliae ducatus Apuliae et principatus Capuae and invested him with his titles.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1130: 1130 Milestone — In 1130, Antipope Anacletus II had crowned Roger II king.
2. 1137: 1137 Milestone — Over the decade of the 1130s, Roger defeated his vassals one by one until in 1137, the Emperor Lothair II came down with the pope and conquered most of the south.
3. 1139: 1139 Milestone — The Treaty of Mignano of 1139 was the treaty which ended more than a decade of constant war in the Italian Mezzogiorno following the union of the mainland duchy of Apulia and Calabria with the County of Sicily in 1127.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Treaty of Mignano

True or False: “The Treaty of Mignano in 1139 immediately ended all political disputes in the Italian Mezzogiorno.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While it ended a decade of constant war, the treaty confirmed Roger II's authority, but the region remained politically complex and subject to ongoing power struggles.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Avempace — Historical peer (Died in 1139) (1139): Polymath of Islamic Golden Age, influential in philosophy, science, and arts.
• Emperor Konoe — Historical peer (Born in 1139) (1139): The 76th Emperor of Japan, reigning from 1142 to 1155.
• Emperor Go-Shirakawa — Historical peer (Born in 1127) (1127): Powerful, yet politically constrained emperor who maintained influence through the insei system.
• Minamoto no Yoshimitsu — Historical peer (Died in 1127) (1127): Samurai lord and progenitor of Daitō-ryū, a master of martial arts.
• Benjamin of Tudela — Historical peer (Born in 1130) (1130): Medieval Jewish explorer whose travels described the geography of the 12th century.
• Herrad of Landsberg — Historical peer (Born in 1130) (1130): 12th-century Alsatian nun, abbess, and author of the pictorial encyclopedia Hortus deliciarum.
• Ferdinand II of León — Historical peer (Born in 1137) (1137): King of León and Galicia, ruling from 1157 until his death in 1188.
• Lothair III, Holy Roman Emperor — Historical peer (Died in 1137) (1137): Holy Roman Emperor who reigned from 1133 to 1137, noted for his Saxon lineage.

Frequently Asked Questions about Treaty of Mignano