Elena of Gallura

Elena (c. 1190–1218) was the daughter and successor of Barisone II of Gallura and was named after her mother Odolina of the Lacon family.

[1] When Barisone died in 1202 or 1203, he left Elena and the giudicato under the protection of Pope Innocent III,[2] who wrote a letter to Biagio, Archbishop of Torres, charging him with assuring a smooth succession in Gallura, which meant arranging a marriage for the young Elena.

The prospect of interference from William I of Cagliari, Comita III of Logudoro, and Hugh I and Peter I of Arborea was great enough to incite a second letter to those judges, in which the pope told them to respect Biagio's authority in the matter.

[2] In July 1204, Innocent wrote to Elena commending her for abiding by papal advice and admonishing her mother, Riccus, Archbishop of Cagliari, and the people of Gallura to follow the decision of Biagio.

[2] The bishop of Cività, the Gallurese capital, was sent to Rome to receive papal instruction concerning the marriage prospects.