Richard of San Germano
Encyclopedia
Richard of San Germano was a notary
at the monastery of Cassino
(then called San Germano) from February 1186 to March 1232. He wrote a chronicle
(sometimes Chronica regni Siciliae) of the Mezzogiorno
from the death of William II of Sicily
in 1189 to 1243. It is the chiefest source of information on the Hohenstaufen
in Italy.
Richard was a companion of Stephen of Marsia, the abbot
of Montecassino, and dedicated his chronicle to him. His brother John was also a notary, though in the chancery
of Emperor Frederick II. In the early 1220s, Richard was found in the service of Frederick, perhaps alongside his brother. In the late 1230s, Richard became an imperial Chamberlain
(until 1242).
His chronicle was originally intended as a continuation of the Annales Casinenses. It is largely, but far from mostly, focused on the Terra Sancti Benedicti
, the lands of the abbey of Montecassino. The first part was written beginning in 1216 and covers the time between the papal visit to San Germano and the death of Stephen of Marsia in July 1227. This survives in manuscript form in Bologna
. Altered and expanded to stand on its own, the chronicle was finished after the Roman
visit of Pope Innocent IV
in October 1243. It then began with the conquest of Sicily by Henry VI.
Richard was personally involved in many of the event he recounts. Pope Innocent III
visited his monastery in June 1208. He accompanied Stephen of Marsia to the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215. He was at the siege of Milan
in 1239.
Notary public
A notary public in the common law world is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney, and foreign and international business...
at the monastery of Cassino
Cassino
Cassino is a comune in the province of Frosinone, Italy, at the southern end of the region of Lazio.Cassino is located at the foot of Monte Cairo near the confluence of the Rapido and Liri rivers...
(then called San Germano) from February 1186 to March 1232. He wrote a chronicle
Chronicle
Generally a chronicle is a historical account of facts and events ranged in chronological order, as in a time line. Typically, equal weight is given for historically important events and local events, the purpose being the recording of events that occurred, seen from the perspective of the...
(sometimes Chronica regni Siciliae) of the Mezzogiorno
Mezzogiorno
The Midday is a wide definition, without any administrative usage, used to indicate the southern half of the Italian state, encompassing the southern section of the continental Italian Peninsula and the two major islands of Sicily and Sardinia, in addition to a large number of minor islands...
from the death of William II of Sicily
William II of Sicily
William II , called the Good, was king of Sicily from 1166 to 1189. William's character is very indistinct. Lacking in military enterprise, secluded and pleasure-loving, he seldom emerged from his palace life at Palermo. Yet his reign is marked by an ambitious foreign policy and a vigorous diplomacy...
in 1189 to 1243. It is the chiefest source of information on the Hohenstaufen
Hohenstaufen
The House of Hohenstaufen was a dynasty of German kings in the High Middle Ages, lasting from 1138 to 1254. Three of these kings were also crowned Holy Roman Emperor. In 1194 the Hohenstaufens also became Kings of Sicily...
in Italy.
Richard was a companion of Stephen of Marsia, the abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of Montecassino, and dedicated his chronicle to him. His brother John was also a notary, though in the chancery
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of Emperor Frederick II. In the early 1220s, Richard was found in the service of Frederick, perhaps alongside his brother. In the late 1230s, Richard became an imperial Chamberlain
Chamberlain (office)
A chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing a household. In many countries there are ceremonial posts associated with the household of the sovereign....
(until 1242).
His chronicle was originally intended as a continuation of the Annales Casinenses. It is largely, but far from mostly, focused on the Terra Sancti Benedicti
Terra Sancti Benedicti
The Terra Sancti Benedicti was the secular territory, or seignory, of the powerful Abbey of Montecassino, the chief monastery of the Mezzogiorno and one of the first Western monasteries: founded by Benedict of Nursia himself, hence the name of its possessions.The secular holdings had their origin...
, the lands of the abbey of Montecassino. The first part was written beginning in 1216 and covers the time between the papal visit to San Germano and the death of Stephen of Marsia in July 1227. This survives in manuscript form in Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
. Altered and expanded to stand on its own, the chronicle was finished after the Roman
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
visit of Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV , born Sinibaldo Fieschi, was pope from June 25, 1243 until his death in 1254.-Early life:...
in October 1243. It then began with the conquest of Sicily by Henry VI.
Richard was personally involved in many of the event he recounts. Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III was Pope from 8 January 1198 until his death. His birth name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni, sometimes anglicised to Lothar of Segni....
visited his monastery in June 1208. He accompanied Stephen of Marsia to the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215. He was at the siege of Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
in 1239.
Sources
- Ryccardi di Sancto Germano Notarii Chronicon, ed. C. A. Garufi in Rerum Italicarum Scriptores, 2nd edition. Bologna: 1938.
- The Chronicle of Richard of San Germano, translated by G. A. Loud. Leeds: 2002.