The chronicle written by Falco of Benevento is a rare testimony to lay urban historiography from southern Italy in the 12th century. Comparisons with the communal historiography of northern Italy are obvious, but easily run the risk of reading the text through a ‘northern prism’. In contrast, the article emphasises the context of Benevento as a papal city. The ‘social logic’ of the Chronicon is to be seen in the communication between papal rectors and local fideles, among whom the chronicler played an important role. Aware of the end of the Innocentian Schism (1130-8), Falco gives a deeply biased account of Benevento’s history from the beginning of the 12th century.