Sicilian craftsmen, 1222
Endotaph (funerary inscription placed inside the grave) of the Empress Constance of Aragon
THIS IS THE BODY OF OUR LADY CONSTANCE ILLUSTRIOUS EMPRESS OF THE ROMANS ALWAYS AUGUST AND QUEEN
OF SICILY WIFE OF THE LORD EMPEROR FREDERICK AND DAUGHTER OF THE KING OF ARAGON. SHE DIED IN 1222
A.D. ON THE DAY 23 OF JUNE TENTH INDITION IN THE CITY OF CATANIA
embossed and engraved silver foil (Ø 12 cm)
Palermo, Treasure of the Cathedral, from the Empress’ sarcophagus

The remains of the Empress Constance of Aragon, who died from malaria at the age of forty on 23 June 1222, were brought from Catania to Palermo to be buried in the Cathedral.
The deposition in a Roman sarcophagus with scenes depicting a hunting lion (mid-third century AD) took place the following 16 July (see cat. 18).
In order not to forget the identity of her body, during the journey to Palermo or later, they decided to engrave on a silver plate the funerary inscription now on display, sewn on the Empress’ pall inside the grave (endotaph).
The plaque was found in 1491, during the first official opening of the tomb; since then, this precious artifact followed the destiny of Constance’s funerary equipment, and in 1781 it was taken together with her precious imperial equipment, including the famous Crown (cat. 26), the fragments of galloons (cat. 27) and the rings on display (cat. 3), all recorded in Francesco Daniele’s chronicle (cat. 21).