ABSTRACT

In 1152 an imposing figure appeared before the consuls of the commune of Genoa. Seventy-two years old and full of honours Caffaro di Rustico, lord of Caschifellone, was one of the most prominent members of the civic aristocracy. Descended from a vice-comital family, Caffaro was one of the inner circle of the Descended from a vice-comital family, Caffaro was one of the inner circle of theconsular commune. The context for Caffaro's presentation of the Annales in 1152, and for his decision to begin his story a half century earlier with the First Crusade, is found in the Second Crusade and its aftermath. The cracks in the Genoese body politic were starkly revealed by the strain produced by the overreaching Spanish campaigns. Although Caffaro does not take note of any dissension concerning the undertaking in the Annales, his Ystoria hints at internal conflicts and disagreements even before the great expedition of 1147 began to be assembled.