Gualtiero of Cividale was born at the end of the fourth decade of the 13th century and died 1316. He was a notary, a canon of the Chapters both of Cividale and Aquileia, a school master in Cividale. Although his noble background can not be demonstrated, documentary sources clearly testify that 'magister Walterus' quite soon acquired fame, social prestige and assets, as to become one of the most famous men of his time and circles.
As a notary, Gualtiero approached the patriarchal curia at the end of Gregorio da Montelongo's (1251-1269) patriarchy. Under Raimondo della Torre (1274-1299) he was one of the 'notarii domini patriarchae', that is one of the notaries chosen by the bishop to manage the documents concerning its administrative, spiritual and also - in this case - political activity.
Beside a certain number of 'instrumenta', only two manuscripts have survived to testify Gualtiero's more than 25-years-long activity as patrarchal notary, which are both edited in this book.
The first one (ms. Udine, Biblioteca civica 'Vincenzo Joppi', Fondo Principale, 1469) contains 31 complete documents concerning some of the political matters patriarch Raimondo della Torre had to deal with as soon as he came to Friuli in 1274. The latter (ms. Udine, Biblioteca civica 'Vincenzo Joppi', Fondo Principale, 1470) cover the years 1291-94 and is a real notary register.
