The Mystery of Merania: A New Solution to Old Problems (Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Croatia-Dalmatia during the Investiture Controversy)

Abstract

This paper deals with issues concerning the historical background that engendered the imperial (titular) Duchy of Merania and the modality by which this mysterious territory became part of the Holy Roman Empire. The second part outlines interpretations regarding how this patch of land became part of the Holy Roman Empire. Since there is still no satisfying answer as to how, when precisely, and why this change of jurisdictions took place and who were the main protagonists of this takeover, the author proposes a new solution to this age-old mystery. The takeover of Merania is posited in the second half of the 1070s, that is in the period of Croatian king Zvonimir who fostered enmity with the Holy Roman emperor Henry IV by offi cially taking the side of the reform papacy and pope Gregory VII during the polarizing Investiture Controversy. It is in this context that the attacks from the direction of Istrian march and the Duchy of Carinthia ensued against Zvonimir’s kingdom, led by a noble knight Wezelin whose identity is discussed in detail; this marks the beginning of the imperial takeover of Merania.