Protomagistri al servizio di Carlo II d’Angiò. Le figure di Pierre d’Angicourt e Francesco di Vico

Historiography marginally investigates the role of protomag- istri in architecture of Angevin patronage. Some of these, well known to historiography, have been referred to by scholars of the late 19th century as architects. I will try to describe the figure of two of these – Pierre D’Angicourt and Francesco di Vico – by reading the sources and autoptic analysis of some of the buildings in which the two protomagistri seem to have been involved. Pierre D’Angicourt, born north of the Alps, belongs to the first generation of magistri active in the Kingdom and he is well known primarily for his connection with the military architecture of the Adriatic coast. Francesco di Vico, a native of southern Italy, works in the first years of the 14th century and represents the second generation of magistri that operated in the Kingdom. While a little-known figure, he is not of marginal interest. The acquisition of new information about the circulation of the magistri and their role in the conception of buildings constructed during the reign of Charles II of Anjou (1285-1309), has improved our knowledge about architecture produced between the two centuries. The article offers a starting point to the study of the structure of Angevin building sites and the figure of the individuals entrusted with the conception of the architectural endeavours financed by the Angevin King.