I Cisterciensi nel Mezzogiorno medievale (secoli XII-XV). Volumi I-II

Abstract

The doctoral thesis focuses on thè investigation of thè development and religious, patrimonial, financial and dialectical dynamics implemented by thè Cistercian abbeys in regnum Siciliae, with particular reference to thè monasteries of thè Continental Mezzogiorno, in a chronological are from thè mid-twelfth century (when thè Cistercians arrived in South of Italy), until thè end of thè fifteenth century. In order to deepen some aspeets of long duration, we can also take into account information that can be deduced from sources of modern age and some functional references to thè abbeys of Sicilia have not been left out. Interest and originality of thè research consist in having eliminated thè lack of studies that have deepened this theme, thus demonstrating thè not at all irrelevant role of Cistercian monasticism in southern Italy. In fact, thè research has allowed thè detection and subsequent analysis of thè unpublished material from thè archives of thè abbeys of thè SS. Trinità of Cava de’ Tirreni and Montecassino, from thè archive of thè Società Napoletana di Storia Patria, from thè diocesan historical archives of Salerno and Potenza, from thè Archivi di Stato of Naples, of Rome and of Potenza, from thè Archivio Storico Capitolino, thè Secret Archive and thè Vatican Library and thè National Library of Naples. The work is structured in two interrelated parts, both composed of five chapters. In thè first part, anticipated by a premise dedicated to thè sources and studies on thè subject, are highlighted origins, developments, relationships and activities that have characterized thè Cistercian abbeys of thè whole Continental Mezzogiorno, with some reference also to thè Sicilian monasteries where thè treatment require. In thè second section thè events related to some, specific, monasteries are illustrated in detail, i.e. S. Maria della Ferraria near Vairano Patenora (dioceses of Teano), S. Pietro della Canonica, at thè gates of Amalfi, S. Maria di Realvalle near Scafati e S. Maria del Sagittario near Chiaromonte (dioceses of Anglona). In a further chapter, I examine a series of small monasteries that thè sources or thè tradition lead back to those inhabited by white monks but whose testimonies are very dubious. In particular, we deal with thè peculiar case of thè monastery of S. Leonardo de Strato in thè archdiocese of Salerno which, although in one of thè first documents relating to it was inhabited by Cistercian monks, was subjected to episcopal jurisdiction in such a way as to prevent fact, an effective affiliation to thè Order. In both sections there are numerous and essential references to thè Roman abbeys of Casamari and Fossanova, whose events are intimately linked to thè diffusion and organization of thè Cistercians in Mezzogiorno. The study reveals thè deep relationship between thè abbeys and thè locai context that, in some cases, allows comparisons with what is attested in other areas of thè Peninsula and induces to re-evaluate thè ability of thè South-Italy Cistercians to attract thè devotion from thè laity. In thè same way, thè interest for thè insertion in urban circuits that characterizes different abbeys shows a modus operandi quite unlike that found among thè counterparts of north-western Italy. A fundamental question must also be remembered: thè objective distortion caused by thè documentary loss that has struck both thè monastic archives and thè regnum Chancelleries. This has certainly contributed to creating an image of thè Cistercians as a completely minority reality within thè southern monastic panorama, whereas, on thè contrary, to a more in-depth research, several communities show they have exercised a sure influence on their territories. [edited by Author]