Donizo

Donizo (also Domnizo, Donizone) of Canossa, was an Italian monk and author in the late eleventh and early twelfth centuries.

His work is an important source on Matilda of Tuscany and her dynasty, and also on Gregorian Reform and the Investiture Controversy more generally.

He became a monk at the Benedictine monastery of Sant’Apollonio of Canossa c. 1086/7.

His most famous work is the Vita Mathildis (Life of Matilda, Rome, Vatican, Bib.

The Life is divided into two books, the first of which entitled, De Principibus Canusinis (‘'On the princes of Canossa’'), concentrates on the ancestors of Matilda of Tuscany, and their possession of the castle of Canossa; the second book focuses on Matilda herself.

Miniature of Matilda of Tuscany from the frontispiece of Donizo's Vita Mathildis (Codex Vat. Lat. 4922, fol. 7v.). Matilda is depicted seated. On her right, Donizo presents her with a copy his work, on her left is a man with a sword (possibly her man-at-arms).