Gli ordini religioso-cavallereschi in Italia: da Miles Christi a truppe mercenarie durante la Guerra del Vespro

Abstract

This essay concerns the evolution of the role of the monk knights of Holy Land in the new italian background during the War Of Vespers in 1282. While in the Outremer these warrior monks used to risk their lives to safeguard pilgrims, in the West they used to manage riches, to perform their duties as vassals, bankers, politicians as part of royal courts. Due to their obedience to the Pope, they had a difficult relationship with Suebian dinasty and Frederick II seized their properties. After Charles I of Anjou coronation the situation deeply changed: with Angevins they shared a common Gallic origin, a vassalage relation of Provencal birth and a duty to return the benefits they received. During the conflicts as a first step the Pope ordered monk knights to support angevine side in their fights against Swabians, then against Aragonese Crown in the War of Vespers. Some of the Orders’ exponents as Pierre de Musac, Guillame de Villaret, Rinaldo de Pontibus had a great relevance in the conflicts.