VASSALLI, FAMIGLIE E POTERI A PARMA E NEL TERRITORIO (SECOLI X-XII)

This work analyzes the role of feudo-vassalic relations in Parma and its territory between 10th and 12Th century through the study of those who are qualified in the documents as “vassals” and their families. Even though the highest concentration of the term “vassal” is found in the 10th century, the presence of a typical feudal coordination can be outlined only in the second half of the 12th century. The diffusion of a more formal feudal vocabulary also to lower social levels is due to the modification of private and patrimonial relations taking place by that period. However, the strong power of the Bishop and its tight link to the Regnum has been able to integrate rural lords and emerging urban families in one group – the militia – who led also the first communal institutions. Vassalic bonds were only one of the possible ways to determine political, social and economic relations.