Barbara Frale

SUMMARY: A 19th century copy of a document included in the lost Chartularium Culisanense (Collesano, near Palermo) is kept in the library of Montevergine (Campania). The copy was made around 1859 and signed for certification by mons. Benedetto D’Acquisto, archbishop of Monreale and professor of philosophy at Palermo. The document appears to be a letter, in Latin, dated 1st August 1205, sent by Theodore Angelos (Komnenos Doukas), brother of Michael Angelos, on behalf of his brother, to Pope Innocent III. In spite of several difficulties the document cannot be immediately discarded as a forgery, but deserves attention: it is fully analysed in its form and historical context.