Ezzelino and His Architect: Cooperation and Betrayal

Abstract

The essay examines the figure of the architect in thirteenth-century Italy, with particular focus on professional relationships with patrons. At the center of the analysis is Master Mesa, active in the service of Ezzelino III da Romano and responsible for the construction of the castle of San Zenone (San Zenone degli Ezzelini) —an imposing fortress described by contemporary sources as impregnable and equipped with the most advanced defensive systems. After Ezzelino’s death, his brother Alberico sought refuge in the castle with his family and loyal followers, but the 1260 siege ended with Mesa’s betrayal, as he opened the gates to the attackers. This episode highlights the intricate relationship between architects and those in power, illustrating how loyalty and opportunism can intersect. Set against the backdrop of ongoing conflict driven by Emperor Frederick II’s efforts to reassert control over the communal cities, the essay explores the rise of a new class of technicians specialized in fortifications and war machines. Contemporary sources refer to them as ingegnerii or similar terms, as the title architectus had yet to be adopted as a professional designation. Drawing on chronicles such as those by Rolandino of Padua and Salimbene de Adam, the essay reconstructs additional cases that illustrate how feudal lords and communes competed for these highly skilled experts, whose contributions were often decisive in military campaigns. The result is a compelling picture of the privileged collaborations between architects and political power in medieval Italy.