The Deeds of Pope Innocent III

Appendix III: Terracina

A P P E N D I X I I I . T E R R A C I N A by Brenda Bolton Terracina1 is situated at the point where the Via Appia meets the coast at the foot of the Ausoni Mountains. It was always of importance to Rome, whether as a Roman colony or as a strategic town where Trajan cut a tunnel through the rocks to allow passage of the Appia. It was equally important in the medieval period as the main point of entry to the Papal States from the south, guarded by the strategic Rocca de Traversa. The Rocca de Traversa and the nearby stronghold of Circeo were held by the Frangipani family, already declining in importance by Innocent III’s pontificate, but still able to cause trouble. The citizens of Terracina likewise had a long history of struggling for their independence , not only against the Frangipani and the popes but also against their near neighbors, the Counts of Fondi. Such rivalries severely tested the loyalties of the local bishops, Fidelgarius or Tedelcarius (?) (d. 1203), who dedicated the church of Santa Maria de Flumine at Ceccano in 1196, and Simon (1203–1238). In the second half of the twelfth century, the Terracinensi had rebelled against the Frangipani and declared a commune. In 1185, the Frangipani were forced to swear an oath to the commune, renouncing all rights over Terracina, promising to acquire no more towns in the 1. Dominico Antonio Contatore, De Historia Terracinensis libri quinque (Rome: Apud Aloysium & Franciscum de Comitibus, 1706). 273 area and to form no hostile alliances against its citizens. On their side, the citizens swore an oath to the Frangipani, obliging them to hold and defend Terracina and Circeo, forbidding alliances against them, and restoring all rights and goods usurped during the violence. The agreement had been broken by the Terracinensi who had occupied both the Rocca de Traversa and Circeo. On June 28, 1203, in his letter “Satis vobis,” Innocent ordered the transfer of both rocks to the Frangipani and when, by December 8, 1203, this had not been done, the Terracinensi were ordered to consign the Rocca de Traversa to Peter Annibaldi, the pope’s brother-in-law. The commune felt itself threatened by the use the church might make of the strategic rocks, the occupation of which would constitute a threat to the growing communal authority. Furthermore, there was conflict within the Frangipani family. James and Deodato intended to subject the people of Terracina by force of arms to Count Richard of Fondi whilst the other branch, represented by Manuel, Peter, and Odo, was more conciliatory . The problems of the church and the Frangipani family helped the people of Terracina in their quest for independence. On February 9, 1204, Innocent gave sentence in favor of the Frangipani in regard to the damage they had suffered to their rights over Terracina. On March 7, 1207, Manuel, Odo, and Peter swore an oath similar to that of 1185. They renounced their rights over Terracina, and promised to acquire no more towers in the city and to form no alliances with the Count of Fondi or other enemies of the commune. Other rights, not considered in 1185, were now dealt with: that is, half of the fishing de barciis, half of the income from the port, half of the duty on salt, and many other rights not considered in the oath of 1185. 274 Appendix III ...