Momperone
Discovering the History of Momperone
Momperone is a small town located in the province of Alessandria, Piedmont, with a population of only 205 inhabitants. The history of the area dates back to the Lombard era, when it was part of the possessions of the Abbey of San Colombano di Bobbio, incorporated into the territory of the monastic court of Casasco. It was first mentioned in a document from 1220, in which the jurisdictional power of the bishops of the Diocese of Tortona was confirmed, who assigned it as a fief to the Malaspina family. Later, it passed to the Frascaroli family until 1466, when it passed through marriage to the Guidobono Cavalchini. The town was merged with the municipality of Brignano-Frascata in 1928, before regaining its autonomy in 1947.
The Environment of Momperone
The settlement of Momperone, formerly known as Mompolono, was once the center of numerous fractions. It is located to the right of the Curone stream on a gentle slope at the foot of a wooded hill and was part of the Tortona Committee. After being a fief of the Malaspina and Frascarolo families, it was reconfirmed by Frederick II with a diploma on November 24th, 1220 (Chartarium, 146).
The Rule of Momperone
For about two hundred years, until November 9, 1412, when Duke Filippo Maria Visconti invested Perino da Tortona with it, Momperone was entrusted to the co-op of a family that took the name of the place, originally just a predicate.
The Personalities of Momperone
The first voice of the chronology refers to Girardo de Mompolone who, on August 9th, 1192, witnessed a document in which Arlino di Montaldo ceded to the municipality of Tortona all his rights over the castle of Serravalle. He also appears as the creditor in an act of July 31st, 1210, in which Assalito di Mongiardino submits to the Tortona municipality (id., 33). In Tortona, on December 1st, 1233, Enrico di Montepolono ceded to the monastery of Rivalta rights over Enrico da Milano (Cartari di Rivalta, I, 76). In the session of January 6th, 1235, Podesta, consuls, and general council, in which Enrico was present, deliberated the appointment of Lantelmo di Casei as Procurator of the Tortona municipality for peace with the municipality of Genoa, entrusting him with the task of electing arbitrators on Tortona's issues (Chartarium, 196 and 199).
Landowners in Momperone
The property of the heirs of Hugh of Momperone in the Tortona territory borders on lands that the widow Contessa of Tebaldo Opizzoni sold in May 1257 to the chaplaincy of the Virgin of Confessions in the cathedral of the city (Carte Capitolari, II, 224). On June 12th, 1247, Simone di Mompolono sold land in Pecorara to the former lords of Arquata, according to the agreement made with the municipality of Tortona (Chartarium, 231).
Notarial Judges of Momperone
Giacomino di Enrico a Porta S. Quirico, Francesco son of Giacomino, Giovanni son of Francesco, and Antonio all in Tortona in the sixteenth century, practiced notary, as can be seen from the "Matricola dei notai che rogarono nel Tortonese dal XIV al XVIII secolo".
The Castle and Location of Grondona
In March 1235, the municipality of Tortona acquired from the respective feudal lords the castle and location of Grondona, whose inhabitants submitted to the said municipality. The act was only perfected on January 3rd, 1349, notarized by Jacobino di Mompellone mentioned above (Costa, "Cronaca di Tortona", 85).
In conclusion, the history of Momperone intersects with that of the municipality of Tortona, as well as being linked to numerous families that have governed the territory in the past. A small town that has preserved many traces of its past and deserves a visit to immerse oneself in its history.
