John I of Naples

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John I was the duke of Naples from September 711^[1] to his death, probably in 719.^[2] The main source for his reign is the Chronicon ducum et principum Beneventi, Salerni, et Capuae et ducum Neapolis.

In 716, while a pestilence swept through Naples, Romuald II of Benevento occupied the castle of Cumae. Immediately, Pope Gregory II ordered him to return it and offered compensation if he would. He did not and John led an army against him in 717. As promised, the pope himself contributed 70 pounds of gold to the undertaking. Before battle was met, the army was blessed by a local priest named Sergius to whom John promised the bishopric of Naples itself after the incumbent bishop Laurence had died. The autonomy of the south Italian city-states and principalities in religious matters is evidenced here, though the efficacy of John's promise is disputed. The battle was successulf and Cuma was retaken, 300 Lombards killed, including the gastald, and 500 more were captured. Despite the papal gift and blessing, there is no evidence Cuma became a papal fief, despite later claims to the contrary.