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Sitges Family

1116 - 1306

The current town hall of Sitges was built on the same spot where the castle used to stand. The town’s stronghold is first mentioned in the 11th century, and from 1116 to 1306, the castellany was in the hands of a single lineage that adopted the place name as their family name.

The castellan was a noble who administered the castle as a vassal and owed allegiance to a higher noble. The territory the castellan governed was the castellany and his revenue consisted of income from lands, tax-collection and profits of justice.

The Sitges family transferred the castellany from parents to sons, until in 1306 Agnès de Sitges sold it to Bernat de Fonollar.

From 1116 to 1306, a single family governed Sitges and Campdàsens. Agnès was the last castellan to bear the name Sitges, Bernat de Fonollar took over after her.

Sitges Family

1116 - 1306

The current town hall of Sitges was built on the same spot where the castle used to stand. The town's stronghold is first mentioned in the 11th century, and from 1116 to 1306, the castellany was in the hands of a single lineage that adopted the place name as their family name.

The castellan was a noble who administered the castle as a vassal and owed allegiance to a higher noble. The territory the castellan governed was the castellany and his revenue consisted of income from lands, tax-collection and profits of justice.

Illustration by Josep Vidal, published in http://sitgesplatjador.blogpot.com.es

The first documented members of the Sitges family are Guillem Arnau (who we know died after 1116) and Ermessenda. They had, at least, one son named Ramon Guillem who, in 1131, was castellan and must have died between 1132 and 1144. He married Mabília and had six children: Pere, the heir; Berenguer (1144-1147); Sança; Bernat; Guillem and Bertran de Provença.

Pere (1132-1181) married Sança de Ribes in 1147, she was the daughter of Arnau de Ribes. The couple had several children, including Ramon I (1181-1222), who inherited the castellanies of Sitges and Campdàsens. He married Dolça, probably before 1185, and their son, Ramon II inherited the title. Ramon II, first documented in 1215 and possibly dead by 1227, married Guillelma de Viladecols (dead after 1241).

A daughter was born from their union, Dolceta, who died young. The castellan title, therefore, fell to Guillem de Viladecols, son to Blanca (1214-1232) and Guillem de Viladecols, and nephew to Ramon II. In 1238, this "unexpected" heir changed his surname from Viladecols to Sitges, thus perpetuating the family name.

Guillem de Sitges (formerly de Viladecols) married Sibil·la. Two daughters were born from their union: Blanca and Agnès. The latter, who died in 1308, must have inherited the castellany in 1275. She held the title until 1306, when she sold the rights to Bernat de Fonollar. We know that in 1274 she was already married to Berenguer de Fonollar (possibly cousin to Bernat de Fonollar).

From 1116 to 1306, a single family governed Sitges and Campdàsens. Agnès was the last castellan to bear the name Sitges, Bernat de Fonollar took over after her. .


Bibliography:
AD (2007). Història de Sitges. II. Època medieval. Fragments d’història núm. 7. Sitges. Ajuntament de Sitges.
Parés Corretger, Àngels (2002). Els Sitges, castlans del castell durant dos segles. Sitges. La Xermada núm. 28, agost.