Monasticism and politics in Norman Italy: The Chronicle of Montecassino, 10721138

A vivid, detailed and compelling contemporary account of the history of Montecassino during the age of the Gregorian Reform and of southern Italy under the rule of the Norman conquerors. The Chronicle of Montecassino is one of the most important primary sources for the history of southern Italy in the Middle Ages. It is also a key text for religious history during the Gregorian Reform and for the 1130 papal schism. Montecassino was the wealthiest abbey in southern Italy, a key supporter of the Norman conquerors of the region (from whose benefactions it greatly benefitted) and an important ally of the Gregorian papacy. This later part of the chronicle comprises a continuation to the earlier Chronicle of Montecassino by Leo Marsicanus (also in Manchester Medieval Sources). But far from being a mere appendix to Leo’s chronicle, this is a major source in its own right – indeed for much of the period after 1072 it is the most detailed contemporary narrative from southern Italy. During the later eleventh century Montecassino’s influence within the church was at its height: with Abbot Desiderius becoming pope in 1086. But in the early twelfth century problems began to emerge: two successive abbots were deposed in the 1120s, and Montecassino then incurred the wrath of Pope Innocent II by supporting his rival in the papal schism. The last part of the chronicle includes a detailed account by Peter the Deacon, the celebrated scholar and forger, of his defence of the monastery at a meeting with the pope and the German Emperor Lothar III in July 1137. This text provides a fascinating insight into both monasticism and politics in medieval Italy. The Chronicle of Montecassino gives a detailed and compelling account of the monastery during its ‘golden age’ under Abbots Desiderius and Oderisius I, and the challenges that it then faced from the early years of the twelfth century onwards. As law and order in the Principality of Capua broke down, the monks faced increasing threats to their lands, and internal division arose within the monastery. Eventually too their previously close relationship with the papacy broke down. The last part of the chronicle includes a day-by-day account by Peter the deacon of his defence of the monastery at a meeting with Pope Innocent II and Emperor Lothar III in July 1137. This text provides a fascinating insight into both monasticism and politics in medieval southern Italy.