Editing Monza (section)

=== Middle Ages ===
[[Theodelinda]], daughter of [[Garibald I of Bavaria]] and wife of the [[Kingdom of the Lombards|Lombard]] king [[Authari]] (and later of king [[Agilulf]]), chose Monza as her summer residence. Here in 595 she founded an ''oraculum'' dedicated to St. John the Baptist. According to the legend, Theodelinda, asleep while her husband was hunting, saw a dove in a dream that told her: ''modo'' (Latin for "here") indicating that she should build the oraculum in that place, and the queen answered ''etiam'', meaning "yes". According to this legend, the medieval name of Monza, "Modoetia", is derived from these two words. She also had a palace (the future Royal palace) built here.

[[Berengar I of Italy]] (850–924) located his headquarters in Monza. A fortified [[Castra|castrum]] was constructed to resist the incursions of the Hungarians. Under Berengar's reign, Monza enjoyed a certain degree of independence: it had its own system of weights and measures, and could also seize property and mark the deeds with their signatures. Berengar was very generous evident by the donation of numerous works to the Monza Cathedral, including the famous cross, and by giving large benefits to its 32 canons and other churches.

In 980 Monza hosted Emperor [[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto II]] inside the walled city. The Glossary of Monza, one of the earliest examples of the evolution of the [[Lombard language]], probably dates to the early 10th century. In 1000 Emperor [[Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto III]] became the protector of Monza and its possessions: [[Bulciago]], [[Cremella]], [[Lurago d'Erba|Lurago]], [[Locate Varesino|Locate]] and [[Garlate]].

In 1018, [[Aribert, Archbishop of Milan|Aribert]] (970–1045), Lord of Monza, was consecrated bishop of [[Bishopric of Milan|Milan]], resulting in the city losing its independence from its rival. These years saw a power struggle between the emperor [[Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor|Conrad II]], and Aribert. When the emperor died, he left important donations to the church of Monza.

In the 12th century, it is estimated that the city of Monza had about 7,000 inhabitants. Agriculture was the main occupation, although crafts had begun to grow in importance. In 1128 [[Conrad III of Germany|Conrad III]] of Hohenstaufen was crowned King of [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]] in the Church of San Michele at Monza.

In 1136 emperor [[Lothair III, Holy Roman Emperor|Lothair III]] guaranteed the independence of the clergy of Monza from Milan. Monza subsequently regained its autonomy, which was not limited to the feudal government of lands and goods; the archpriest of Monza was confirmed the authority of the clergy of his church (year 1150). This autonomy was never absolute, as the church of Monza was not able to completely cut its ties with the bishop of Milan.

[[Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick I Barbarossa]] visited Monza twice (1158 and 1163). During this period the city again regained its independence from Milan, a city hostile to the emperor. Frederick declared that Monza was his property and also gave the ''Curraria'' (the right to levy customs on the streets), a right usually granted only to royal seats.

During the period of the struggle against Milan and other cities of the [[Lombard League]], Monza was primarily an administrative centre for Barbarossa. Monzan independence lasted until 1185 when Barbarossa ended the conflict with the Lombard League with the [[peace of Constance]]. He allowed the city of Milan to self-rule its subjects again while taking possession of the treasury of the cathedral.

In 1185 [[Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry VI]], son of Barbarossa, was crowned king at Monza, on the occasion of his marriage to Queen [[Constance I of Sicily|Constanza]] of [[Kingdom of Sicily|Sicily]], heir to the Norman kingdom.

As early as the 12th century, Monza was a fortified place, although the status of [[Italian city-states|free city]] had changed its economical role. Agricultural activities were now paired by the production of clothes, while wool processing developed on large farms outside the walls.

Monza was increasingly linked to events of Milan and shared its history and enemies: in 1255 the city was sacked by the [[Guelphs and Ghibellines|Ghibellines]], and in 1259 and [[Ezzelino III da Romano]] tried to seize the [[Visconti Castle (Monza)|castle of Monza]] but was repelled; the village was set on fire.

After the decisive 1277 victory of the Visconti at the [[Battle of Desio]], Monza was occupied by Archbishop [[Ottone Visconti]] and the Marquis of [[March of Montferrat|Montferrat]], [[William VII of Montferrat|William VII]] (1278). The following year, the town was declared a possession of the people of Milan.