Family Power in Southern Italy The Duchy of Gaeta and its Neighbours, 850–1139

This book looks at family-based political power in three south Italian cities--Gaeta, Amalfi and Naples--and examines the ways in which medieval families can be reconstructed and their relationships with each other studied. It analyzes the changes that took place in these cities, particularly in the eleventh century, and their reactions to the Norman conquest of southern Italy in the latter part of the century. This is the first comparative study of the three cities and it is of special relevance to European studies of the early medieval family and state structures.

This 1995 book explores how political power was exerted and family identity expressed in the context of reconstruction of the noble families of the medieval duchies of Gaeta, Amalfi and Naples. Localised forms of power, and the impact of the Norman conquest on southern Italy, are assessed by means of a remarkable collection of charters preserved in the Codex diplomaticus Cajetanus. The duchy of Gaeta, like its neighbours, was ruled as a private family business. An integral part of its ruling family's power was its monopolisation of parts of the duchy's economy, the use of members of the clan to rule local centres. When the family broke up, the duchy fell to outside predators. The three duchies reacted in different ways to the Normans. Gaeta flourished commercially in the twelfth century, and its unique political response to contacts with the cities of northern Italy (especially Genoa) forms the final part of this study.

Preface; Abbreviations; Maps and figures; Introduction; 1. Sources; Part I. From the Beginnings to the Eleventh Century: 2. The origins of dynastic rule; 3. The foundations of ducal power in the tenth century; 4. Noble families in the tenth century; Part II. A Time of Change: The Eleventh Century and Beyond: 5. From local dukes to Norman kings; 6. The emergence of new families; Part III. The Economics of Power: 7. Landowners and exchanges in the Tyrrhenian; 8. Local exchange and long-distance contacts: the Norman kingdom and the North; Conclusion; Appendix; Bibliography; Index.

This 1995 book explores how political power was exerted and family identity expressed in the context of reconstruction of the noble families of the medieval duchies of Gaeta, Amalfi and Naples. It is of special relevance to European studies of early medieval family and state structures.