XII - BARISONE OF ARBOREA

Summary

The glorious issue of the Balearic war had naturally tended to increase the influence of Pisa in Sardinia. In three of the four Judgeships, Gallura, Torres and Cagliari, the ancient alliances were confirmed, and probably with fresh privileges. As to the Judgeship of Arborea we only know that foreign settlers, esitizos, were numerous, and that the judges were wont to make generous concessions in their favour. Whether these esitizos were preponderantly Pisan or Genoese we have no means of ascertaining; but it may be accepted as certain that the privilege of Gelasius II, in 1118, was not in conflict with the actual conditions of the island.

During the long war between Pisa and Genoa (1119–1132) Sardinia was something more than a disinterested spectator; and Professor Besta is inclined to believe that the fact that, in 1125, a great Pisan ship which was attacked by Genoese galleys in the straits of S. Bonifacio attempted to reach the Arno, instead of seeking refuge in a Sardinian port, may be taken as evidence that the inhabitants of the northern shores of the island were no longer on the side of Pisa. Be that as it may, we know that, after the death of Judge Costantino, in 1127 or thereabouts, Logudoro was a prey to intestine discords.