Commentary Par VI 127-142

Romeo, seneschal (chief steward) of Raymond Berenger IV, count of Provence: 'The only foundation, apparently, for the story, adopted by Dante and Villani (vi.90), of the "pilgrim" who became the minister of the Provençal count, is the fact that the name of count Berenger's grand seneschal was Romieu (or Romée) of Villeneuve.  Romeo, a friend of Sordello ([Purg VI 74]) was born c. 1170.  In Aug. 1229 he was in Genoa as ambassador to the podestà of that city, and in the same year was serving as Raymond Berenger's chief minister, and by him was granted certain possessions in Genoa and her territories, and the next year received other properties.  Early in 1241, on another mission as ambassador, he became involved in a battle at sea, from which he escaped unscathed, even managing to capture a Pisan vessel laden with merchandise which he had taken to Nice.  On Aug. 19, 1245 Raymond Berenger died, leaving his daughter Beatrice his heir, and Romeo as "baiulus totius terrae suae et filiae suae" [guardian of all his lands and those of his daughter].  Beatrice then married Charles of Anjou while under Romeo's guardianship.  Romeo died in 1250' (Romeo).

For Villani's account (in English) of the arrangements made by Romeo to marry off Raymond's daughters and his umbrage at Raymond's request for an accountancy, see Oelsner's comment on these lines (DDP Oelsner.Par.VI.127-142).