William III of Cagliari

Who is William III of Cagliari?

William III, of the House of Massa, was the last Judge of Cagliari, ruling under the name Salusio VI from 1256 to his deposition in 1258. He is known also known as Guglielmo Cepolla or Cipolla.

He was a nephew of Torchitorio V and cousin of Salusio V. After the assassination of the former, he was proclaimed Judge, but he immediately followed his predecessor in a policy in favour of the Republic of Genoa over and against the pretensions of the Republic of Pisa. In 1258, the Pisan influences in the region — the Gherardeschi, Counts of Donoratico; William of Capraia, acting Judge of Arborea; and John Visconti, Judge of Gallura — invaded Cagliari. They reconquered the castle of Castro and besieged Santa Igia, which received no Genoese aid and was consequently destroyed and the inhabitants forced to flee to the interior.

William was deposed and his giudicato divided between its conquerors: the northwest third, the old Giudicato of Agugliastra, went to Gallura; the centre was incorporated into Arborea; and the region of Sulcis and Iglesiente were given to Ugolino della Gherardesca.