[Sidenote: 1264 A.D.]
_Here begins the Seventh Book, which treats of the coming of
King Charles, and of many changes and events which followed
thereupon._
[Sidenote: Inf. xix. 99. Purg. vii. 113, 124, 128, 129; xi. 137; xx.
67-69.]
[Sidenote: Purg. xx. 61-63.]
[Sidenote: Purg. vii. 113, 124.]
[Sidenote: 1265 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Purg. vii. 126.]
Sec. 1.--Charles was the second son of Louis le Debonnaire, king of
France, and grandson of the good King Philip, the blear-eyed, his
grandfather, whereof we before made mention, and brother of the good
King Louis of France, and of Robert, count of Artois, and of Alfonso,
count of Poitou; all these four brothers were the children of Queen
Bianca, daughter of the King Alfonso of Spain. The said Charles, count
of Anjou, by inheritance from his father, and count of Provence, this
side the Rhone, by inheritance through his wife, the daughter of the
good Count Raymond Berenger, so soon as he was elected king of Sicily
and of Apulia by the Pope and by the Church, made preparation of
knights and barons to furnish means for his enterprise and expedition
into Italy, as we before narrated. But in order that those who come
after may have fuller knowledge how this Charles was the first of the
kings of Sicily and of Apulia descended from the house of France, we
will tell somewhat of his virtues and conditions; and it is very
fitting that we should preserve a record of so great a lord, and so
great a friend and protector and defender of Holy Church, and of our
city of Florence, as we shall make mention hereafter. This Charles
was wise, prudent in counsel and valiant in arms, and harsh, and much
feared and redoubted by all the kings of the earth, great-hearted and
of high purposes, steadfast in carrying out every great undertaking,
firm in every adversity, faithful to every promise, speaking little
and acting much, scarcely smiling, chaste as a monk, catholic, harsh
in judgment, and of a fierce countenance, tall and stalwart in person,
olive-coloured, large-nosed, and in kingly majesty he exceeded any
other lord, and slept little and woke long, and was wont to say that
all the time of sleep was so much lost; liberal was he to knights in
arms, but greedy in acquiring land and lordship and money, from
whencesoever it came, to furnish means for his enterprises and wars;
in jongleurs, minstrels or jesters he never took delight; his arms
were those of France, that is an azure field charged with the golden
lily, barred with vermilion above; so far they were diverse from the
arms of France. This Charles, when he passed into Italy, was forty-six
years of age, and he reigned nineteen years in Sicily and Apulia, as
we shall make mention hereafter. He had by his wife two sons and
several daughters; the first was named Charles II., and was somewhat
crippled, and was prince of Capua; and after the first Charles, his
father, he became king of Sicily and of Apulia, as we shall make
mention hereafter. The second was Philip, who was prince of the Morea
in his wife's right; but he died young and without issue, for he
ruptured himself in straining a crossbow. We will now leave for a
while to speak of the progeny of the good King Charles, and will
continue our story of his passing into Italy, and of other things
which followed thereupon.
Sec. 2.--_How the Guelf refugees from Florence took the arms of Pope
Clement, and how they joined the French army of Count Charles._
[Sidenote: 1265 A.D.]
In those times the Guelf refugees from Florence and from the other
cities of Tuscany, who were much advantaged by the booty they had made
of the cities of Modena and Reggio, whereof we before made mention,
hearing that Count Charles was preparing to pass into Italy, gathered
all their strength in arms and in horses, each one doing all in his
power; and they numbered more than 400 good horsemen of gentle lineage
and proved in arms, and they sent their ambassadors to Pope Clement,
to the end he might recommend them to Count Charles, King elect of
Sicily, and to proffer themselves for the service of Holy Church;
which were graciously received by the said Pope, and provided with
money and other benefactions; and the said Pope required that for love
of him the Guelf party from Florence should always bear his proper
arms on their standard and seal, which was, and is, a white field with
a vermilion eagle above a green serpent, which they bore and kept
henceforward, and down to our present times, though it is true that
the Guelfs added afterwards a small vermilion lily above the head of
the eagle; and with this banner they departed from Lombardy in company
with the French horsemen of Count Charles when they journeyed to Rome,
as we shall make mention hereafter; and they were among the best
warriors and the most skilled in arms, of all those which King Charles
had at the battle against Manfred. We will now leave for the present
to speak of the Guelf refugees from Florence, and will tell of the
coming of Count Charles and of his followers.
Sec. 3.--_How Count Charles departed from France, and passed by sea from
Provence to Rome._
[Sidenote: 1265 A.D.]
In the year of Christ 1265, Charles, count of Anjou and of Provence,
having collected his barons and knights of France, and money to
furnish means for his expedition, and having mustered his troops, left
Count Guy of Montfort, captain and leader of 1,500 French horsemen,
which were to journey to Rome by way of Lombardy; and having kept the
feast of Easter, of the Resurrection of Christ, with King Louis of
France and with his other brothers and friends, he straightway
departed from Paris with a small company. Without delay he came to
Marseilles in Provence, where he had had prepared thirty armed
galleys, upon which he embarked with certain barons whom he had
brought with him from France, and with certain of his Provencal barons
and knights, and put out to sea on his way to Rome in great peril,
inasmuch as King Manfred with his forces had armed in Genoa, and in
Pisa, and in the Kingdom, more than eighty galleys, which were at sea
on guard, to the intent that the said Charles might not be able to
pass. But the said Charles, like a bold and courageous lord, prepared
to pass without any regard to the lying-in-wait of his enemies,
repeating a proverb, or perhaps the saying of a philosopher, that
runs: Good care frustrates ill fortune. And this happened to the said
Charles at his need; for being with his galleys on the Pisan seas, by
tempest of the sea they were dispersed, and Charles with three of his
galleys, utterly forespent, arrived at the Pisan port. Hearing this,
Count Guido Novello, then vicar in Pisa for King Manfred, armed
himself with his German troops to ride to the port and take Count
Charles; the Pisans seized their moment, and closed the doors of the
city, and ran to arms, and raised a dispute with the vicar, demanding
back the fortress of Mutrone, which he was holding for the Lucchese,
which was very dear and necessary to them; and this had to be granted
before he was able to depart. And on account of the said interval and
delay, when Count Guido had departed from Pisa and reached the port,
Count Charles, the storm being somewhat abated, had with great care
refitted his galleys and put out to sea, having departed but a little
time before from the port, so great peril and misfortune being past;
and thus, as it pleased God, passing afterwards hard by the fleet of
King Manfred, sailing over the high seas, he arrived with his armada
safe and sound at the mouth of the Roman Tiber, in the month of May of
the said year, the which coming was held to be very marvellous and
sudden, and by King Manfred and his people could scarce be believed.
Charles having arrived in Rome, was received by the Romans with great
honour, inasmuch as they loved not the lordship of Manfred; and
immediately he was made senator of Rome by the will of the Pope and
the people of Rome. Albeit Pope Clement was in Viterbo, yet he gave
him all aid and countenance against Manfred, both spiritual and
temporal; but by reason of his mounted troops, which were coming from
France by land, and which through the many hindrances prepared by the
followers of Manfred in Lombardy, had much difficulty in reaching
Rome, as we shall make mention, it behoved Count Charles to abide in
Rome, and in Campagna, and in Viterbo throughout that summer, during
which sojourn he took counsel and ordered how he might enter the
Kingdom with his host.
Sec. 4.--_How Count Guy of Montfort, with the horse of Count Charles,
passed through Lombardy._
[Sidenote: 1265 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Purg. vii. 133-136. Conv. iv. 11: 125-127.]
[Sidenote: Inf. xxxii. 115, 116.]
Count Guy of Montfort, with the horsemen which Count Charles had left
him to lead, and with the countess, wife to the said Charles, and with
her knights, departed from France in the month of June of the said
year. * * * * * * And they took the way of Burgundy and of Savoy, and
crossed the mountains of Monsanese [M. Cenis]; and when they came into
the country about Turin and Asti, they were received with honour by
the marquis of Monferrato, which was lord over that country, forasmuch
as the marquis held with the Church, and was against Manfred; and by
his conduct, and with the aid of the Milanese, they set out to pass
through Lombardy, from Piedmont as far as Parma, all in arms, and
riding in troops, with much difficulty, forasmuch as the Marquis
Pallavicino, kinsman of Manfred, with the forces of the Cremonese, and
of the other Ghibelline cities of Lombardy which were in league with
Manfred, was guarding the passes with more than 3,000 horsemen, some
Germans and some Lombards. At last, as it pleased God, albeit the two
hosts came very nigh one another at the place called . . . the French
passed through without any battle being fought and arrived at the city
of Parma. Truly it is said that one Master Buoso, of the house of da
Duera, of Cremona, for money which he received from the French, gave
counsel in such wise that the host of Manfred was not there to contest
the pass, as had been arranged, wherefor the people of Cremona
afterwards destroyed the said family of da Duera in fury. When the
French came to the city of Parma they were graciously received, and
the Guelf refugees from Florence and from the other cities of
Tuscany, with more than 400 horsemen (whereof they had made captain
Count Guido Guerra of the Counts Guidi) went out to meet them as far
as the city of Mantua. And when the French met with the Guelf refugees
from Florence and from Tuscany, they seemed to them such fine men, and
so rich in horses and in arms, that they marvelled greatly, that being
in banishment from their cities they could be so nobly accoutred, and
their company highly esteemed our exiles. And afterwards they took
them round by Lombardy to Bologna, and by Romagna and by the March,
and by the Duchy, for they could not pass through Tuscany, forasmuch
as it all pertained to the Ghibelline party, and was under the
lordship of Manfred; for the which thing they spent long time in their
journeying, so that it was not till the beginning of the month of
December, in the said year 1265, that they arrived in Rome; and when
they were come to the city of Rome, Count Charles was very joyful, and
received them with great gladness and honour.
Sec. 5.--_How King Charles was crowned in Rome king of Sicily, and how he
straightway departed with his host to go against King Manfred._
[Sidenote: 1265 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Inf. xxviii. 16.]
When the mounted troops of Count Charles had reached Rome, he purposed
to assume his crown; and on the day of the Epiphany in the said year
1265, by two cardinal legates, despatched by the Pope to Rome, he was
consecrated and crowned over the realm of Sicily and Apulia, he and
his lady with great honour; and so soon as the festival of his
coronation was ended, without any delay he set out with his host by
way of the Campagna, towards the kingdom of Apulia, and Campagna; and
very soon he had a large part thereof at his command without dispute.
King Manfred hearing of their coming, to wit, first of the said
Charles, and then of his people, and how through failure of his great
host, which was in Lombardy, they had passed onward, was much angered.
Immediately he gave all his care to defend the passes of the Kingdom,
and at the pass at the bridge at Cepperano he placed the Count
Giordano and the count of Caserta, the which were of the house of da
Quona, with many followers, both foot and horse; and in San Germano he
placed a great part of his German and Apulian barons, and all the
Saracens of Nocera with bows and crossbows, and great store of arrows,
trusting more in this defence than in any other, by reason of the
strong place and the position, which has on the one side high
mountains, and on the other marshes and stagnant waters, and was
furnished with victuals and with all things necessary for more than
two years. King Manfred having fortified the passes, as we have said,
sent his ambassadors to King Charles to treat with him concerning a
truce or peace; and their embassage being delivered, it was King
Charles's will to make answer with his own mouth; and he said in his
language, in French: "Allez, et ditez pour moi au sultan de Nocere,
aujourdhui je mettrai lui en enfer, ou il mettra moi en paradis;"
which was as much as to say: I will have nothing but battle, and in
that battle, either he shall slay me, or I him; and this done without
delay he set out on his road. It chanced that King Charles having
arrived with his host at Fresolone in Campagna, as he was descending
towards Cepperano, the said Count Giordano, which was defending that
pass, seeing the king's followers coming to pass through, desired to
defend the pass; the count of Caserta said that it was better to let
some of them pass first so that they might seize them on the other
side of the pass without stroke of sword. Count Giordano, when he saw
the people increase, again desired to assail them in battle; then the
count of Caserta, who was in the plot, said that the battle would be a
great risk, seeing that too many of them had passed. Then Count
Giordano, seeing the king's followers to be so powerful, abandoned the
place and bridge, some say from fear, but more say on account of the
pact made by the king with the count of Caserta, inasmuch as he loved
not Manfred, who, of his inordinate lust, had forcibly ravished the
count of Caserta's wife. Wherefore he held himself to be greatly
shamed by him, and sought to avenge himself by this treachery. And to
this we give faith, because he and his were among the first who gave
themselves up to King Charles; and having left Cepperano, they did not
return to the host of King Manfred at San Germano, but abode in their
castles.
Sec. 6.--_How, after King Charles had taken the pass of Cepperano, he
stormed the city of San Germano._
[Sidenote: 1265 A.D.]
When King Charles and his host had taken the pass of Cepperano, they
took Aquino without opposition, and they stormed the stronghold of
Arci, which is among the strongest in that country; and this done,
they encamped the host before San Germano. The inhabitants of the
city, by reason of the strength of the place, and because it was well
furnished with men and with all things, held the followers of King
Charles for nought, and in contempt they insulted the servants which
were leading the horses to water, saying vile and shameful things,
calling out: "Where is your little Charles?" For which reason the
servants of the French began to skirmish, and to fight with those of
the city, whereat all the host of the French rose in uproar, and
fearing that the camp would be attacked, the French were all suddenly
in arms, running towards the city; they within, not being on their
guard, were not so quickly all in arms. The French with great fury
assailed the city, fighting against it in many places; and those who
could find no better protection, dismounting from their horses, took
off their saddles, and with them on their heads went along under the
walls and towers of the town. The count of Vendome, with M. John, his
brother, and with their standard, which were among the first to arm
themselves, followed the grooms of the besieged which had sallied
forth to skirmish, and pursuing them, entered the town together with
them by a postern which was open to receive them; and this was not
without great peril, forasmuch as the gate was well guarded by many
armed folk, and of those which followed the count of Vendome and his
brother, some were there slain and wounded, but they by their great
courage and strength nevertheless were victorious in the combat around
the gate by force of arms, and entered in, and straightway set their
standard upon the walls. And among the first which followed them were
the Guelf refugees from Florence, whereof Count Guido Guerra was
captain, and the ensign was borne by Messer Stoldo Giacoppi de' Rossi;
the which Guelfs at the taking of San Germano bore themselves
marvellously and like good men, for the which thing the besiegers took
heart and courage, and each one entered the city as he best could.
The besieged, when they saw the standards of their enemies upon the
walls, and the gate taken, fled in great numbers, and few of them
remained to defend the town; wherefore King Charles's followers took
the town of San Germano by assault, on the 10th day of February, 1265,
and it was held to be a very great marvel, by reason of the strength
of the town, and rather the work of God than of human strength,
forasmuch as there were more than 1,000 horsemen within, and more than
5,000 footmen, among which there were many Saracen archers from
Nocera; but by reason of a scuffle which arose the night before, as it
pleased God, between the Christians and the Saracens, in the which the
Saracens were vanquished, the next day they were not faithful in the
defence of the city, and this among others was truly one of the causes
why they lost the town of San Germano. Of Manfred's troops many were
slain and taken, and the city was all overrun and robbed by the
French; and there the king and his host abode some time to take repose
and to learn the movements of Manfred.
Sec. 7.--_How King Manfred went to Benivento, and how he arrayed his
troops to fight against King Charles._
[Sidenote: 1265 A.D.]
King Manfred, having heard the news of the loss of San Germano, and
his discomfited troops having returned thence, he was much dismayed,
and took counsel what he should do, and he was counselled by the Count
Calvagno, and by the Count Giordano, and by the Count Bartolommeo, and
by the Count Chamberlain, and by his other barons, to withdraw with
all his forces to the city of Benivento, as a stronghold, in order
that he might give battle on his own ground, and to the end he might
withdraw towards Apulia if need were, and also to oppose the passage
of King Charles, forasmuch as by no other way could he enter into the
Principality and into Naples, or pass into Apulia save by the way of
Benivento; and thus it was done. King Charles, hearing of the going of
Manfred to Benivento, immediately departed from San Germano, to pursue
him with his host; and he did not take the direct way of Capua, and by
Terra di Lavoro, inasmuch as they could not have passed the bridge of
Capua by reason of the strength of the towers of the bridge over the
river, and the width of the river. But he determined to cross the
river Volturno near Tuliverno, where it may be forded, whence he held
on by the country of Alifi, and by the rough mountain paths of
Beniventana, and without halting, and in great straits for money and
victual, he arrived at the hour of noon at the foot of Benivento in
the valley over against the city, distant by the space of two miles
from the bank of the river Calore which flows at the foot of
Benivento. King Manfred seeing the host of King Charles appear, having
taken counsel, determined to fight and to sally forth to the field
with his mounted troops, to attack the army of King Charles before
they should be rested; but in this he did ill, for had he tarried one
or two days, King Charles and his host would have perished or been
captive without stroke of sword, through lack of provisions for them
and for their horses; for the day before they arrived at the foot of
Benivento, through want of victual, many of the troops had to feed on
cabbages, and their horses on the stalks, without any other bread, or
grain for the horses; and they had no more money to spend. Also the
people and forces of King Manfred were much dispersed, for M. Conrad
of Antioch was in Abruzzi with a following, Count Frederick was in
Calabria, the count of Ventimiglia was in Sicily; so that, if he had
tarried a while, his forces would have increased; but to whom God
intends ill, him He deprives of wisdom. Manfred having sallied forth
from Benivento with his followers, passed over the bridge which
crosses the said river of Calore into the plain which is called S.
Maria della Grandella, to a place called the Pietra a Roseto; here he
formed three lines of battle or troops, the first was of Germans, in
whom he had much confidence, who numbered fully 1,200 horse, of whom
Count Calvagno was the captain; the second was of Tuscans and
Lombards, and also of Germans, to the number of 1,000 horse, which was
led by Count Giordano; the third, which Manfred led, was of Apulians
with the Saracens of Nocera, which was of 1,400 horse, without the
foot soldiers and the Saracen bowmen which were in great numbers.
Sec. 8.--_How King Charles arrayed his troops to fight against King
Manfred._
[Sidenote: 1265 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Inf. xvi. 34-39.]
King Charles, seeing Manfred and his troops in the open field, and
ranged for combat, took counsel whether he should offer battle on that
day or should delay it. The most of his barons counselled him to abide
till the coming morning, to repose the horses from the fatigue of the
hard travel, and M. Giles le Brun, constable of France, said the
contrary, and that by reason of delay the enemy would pluck up heart
and courage, and that the means of living might fail them utterly, and
that if others of the host did not desire to give battle, he alone,
with his lord Robert of Flanders and with his followers, would
adventure the chances of the combat, having confidence in God that
they should win the victory against the enemies of Holy Church. Seeing
this, King Charles gave heed to and accepted his counsel, and through
the great desire which he had for the combat, he said with a loud
voice to his knights, "Venu est le jour que nous avons tant desire,"
and he caused the trumpets to be sounded, and commanded that every man
should arm and prepare himself to go forth to battle; and thus in a
little time it was done. And he ordered, after the fashion of his
enemies, over against them, three principal bands: the first band was
of Frenchmen to the number of 1,000 horse, whereof were captains
Philip of Montfort and the marshal of Mirapoix; of the second King
Charles with Count Guy of Montfort, and with many of his barons and of
the queen's knights, and with barons and knights of Provence, and
Romans, and of the Campagna, which were about 900 horse; and the royal
banners were borne by William, the standard-bearer, a man of great
valour; the third was led by Robert, count of Flanders, with his
Prefect of the camp, Marshal Giles of France, with Flemings, and men
of Brabant, and of Aisne, and Picards, to the number of 700 horse. And
besides these troops were the Guelf refugees from Florence, with all
the Italians, and they were more than 400 horse, whereof many of the
greater houses in Florence received knighthood from the hand of King
Charles upon the commencement of the battle; and of these Guelfs of
Florence and of Tuscany Guido Guerra was captain, and their banner was
borne in that battle by Conrad of Montemagno of Pistoia. And King
Manfred seeing the bands formed, asked what folk were in the fourth
band, which made a goodly show in arms and in horses and in ornaments
and accoutrements: answer was made him that they were the Guelf
refugees from Florence and from the other cities of Tuscany. Then did
Manfred grieve, saying: "Where is the help that I receive from the
Ghibelline party whom I have served so well, and on whom I have
expended so much treasure?" And he said: "Those people (that is, the
band of Guelfs) cannot lose to-day"; and that was as much as to say
that if he gained the victory he would be the friend of the Florentine
Guelfs, seeing them to be so faithful to their leader and to their
party, and the foe of the Ghibellines.
Sec. 9.--_Concerning the battle between King Charles and King Manfred,
and how King Manfred was discomfited and slain._
[Sidenote: 1265 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Inf. xxviii. 16.]
[Sidenote: Purg. iii. 118, 119.]
[Sidenote: Purg. iii. 124-132.]
The troops of the two kings being set in order on the plain of
Grandella, after the aforesaid fashion, and each one of the said
leaders having admonished his people to do well, and King Charles
having given to his followers the cry, "Ho Knights, Monjoie!" and King
Manfred to his, "Ho, Knights, for Suabia!" the bishop of Alzurro as
papal legate absolved and blessed all the host of King Charles,
remitting sin and penalty, forasmuch as they were fighting in the
service of Holy Church. And this done, there began the fierce battle
between the two first troops of the Germans and of the French, and the
assault of the Germans was so strong that they evilly entreated the
French troop, and forced them to give much ground and they themselves
took ground. The good King Charles seeing his followers so
ill-bestead, did not keep to the order of the battle to defend himself
with the second troop, considering that if the first troop of the
French, in which he had full confidence, were routed, little hope of
safety was there from the others; but immediately with his troop he
went to succour the French troop, against that of the Germans, and
when the Florentine refugees and their troop beheld King Charles
strike into the battle, they followed boldly, and performed marvellous
feats of arms that day, always following the person of King Charles;
and the same did the good Giles le Brun, constable of France, with
Robert of Flanders and his troop; and on the other side Count Giordano
fought with his troop, wherefore the battle was fierce and hard, and
endured for a long space, no one knowing who was getting the
advantage, because the Germans by their valour and strength, smiting
with their swords, did much hurt to the French. But suddenly there
arose a great cry among the French troops, whosoever it was who began
it, saying: "To your daggers! To your daggers! Strike at the horses!"
And this was done, by the which thing in a short time the Germans were
evilly entreated and much beaten down, and well-nigh turned to flight.
King Manfred, who with his troop of Apulians remained ready to succour
the host, beholding his followers not able to abide the conflict,
exhorted the people of his troop that they should follow him into the
battle, but they gave little heed to his word, for the greater part of
the barons of Apulia and of the Kingdom, among others the Count
Chamberlain, and him of Acerra and him of Caserta, and others, either
through cowardice of heart, or seeing that they were coming by the
worse, and there are those who say through treachery, as faithless
folk, and desirous of a new lord, failed Manfred, abandoning him and
fleeing, some towards Abruzzi and some towards the city of Benivento.
Manfred, being left with few followers, did as a valiant lord, who
would rather die in battle as king than flee with shame; and whilst he
was putting on his helmet, a silver eagle which he wore as crest fell
down before him on his saddle bow; and he seeing this, was much
dismayed, and said to the barons, which were beside him, in Latin:
"_Hoc est signum Dei_, for I fastened this crest with my own hand
after such a fashion that it should not have been possible for it to
fall"; yet for all this he did not give up, but as a valiant lord he
took heart, and immediately entered into the battle, without the royal
insignia, so as not to be recognised as king, but like any other
noble, striking bravely into the thickest of the fight; nevertheless,
his followers endured but a little while, for they were already
turning; and straightway they were routed and King Manfred slain in
the midst of his enemies, it was said by a French esquire, but it was
not known for certain. In that battle there was great mortality both
on the one side and on the other, but much more among the followers of
Manfred; and whilst they were fleeing from the field towards
Benivento, they were pursued by the army of King Charles, which
followed them as far as the city (for night was already falling), and
took the city of Benivento and those who were fleeing. Many chief
barons of King Manfred were taken; among the others were taken Count
Giordano, and Messer Piero Asino degli Uberti; which two King Charles
sent captive to Provence, and there he caused them to die a cruel
death in prison. The other Apulian and German barons he kept in prison
in divers places in the Kingdom; and a few days after, the wife of the
said Manfred, and his children and his sister, who were in Nocera of
the Saracens in Apulia, were delivered as prisoners to King Charles,
and they afterwards died in his prison. And without doubt there came
upon Manfred and his heirs the malediction of God, and right clearly
was shown the judgment of God upon him because he was excommunicated,
and the enemy and persecutor of Holy Church. At his end, search was
made for Manfred for more than three days, and he could not be found,
and it was not known if he was slain, or taken, or escaped, because he
had not borne royal insignia in the battle; at last he was recognised
by one of his own camp-followers by sundry marks on his person, in the
midst of the battle-field; and his body being found by the said
camp-follower, he threw it across an ass he had and went his way
crying, "Who buys Manfred? Who buys Manfred?" And one of the king's
barons chastised this fellow and brought the body of Manfred before
the king, who caused all the barons which had been taken prisoners to
come together, and having asked each one if it was Manfred, they all
timidly said Yes. When Count Giordano came, he smote his hands against
his face, weeping and crying: "Alas, alas, my lord," wherefor he was
commended by the French; and some of the barons prayed the king that
he would give Manfred the honour of sepulture; but the king made
answer: "_Je le fairois volontiers, s'il ne fut excommunie_"; but
forasmuch as he was excommunicated, King Charles would not have him
laid in a holy place; but at the foot of the bridge of Benivento he
was buried, and upon his grave each one of the host threw a stone;
whence there arose a great heap of stones. But by some it was said
that afterwards, by command of the Pope, the bishop of Cosenza had him
taken from that sepulchre, and sent him forth from the Kingdom which
was Church land, and he was buried beside the river of Verde
[Garigliano], on the borders of the Kingdom and Campagna; this,
however, we do not affirm. This battle and defeat was on a Friday, the
last day of February, in the year of Christ 1265.
[Sidenote: 1266 A.D.]
Sec. 10.--_How King Charles had the lordship of the Kingdom and of
Sicily, and how Don Henry of Spain came to him._ Sec. 11.--_How the
Saracens of Berber passed into Spain, and how they were there routed._
Sec. 12.--_How the Florentine Ghibellines laid siege to Castelnuovo in
Valdarno, and how they departed thence worsted._
Sec. 13.--_How the Thirty-six were established in Florence, and how the
Guilds of Arts were formed and standards given thereto._
[Sidenote: 1266 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Inf. xxiii. 103-108.]
When the news came to Florence and to Tuscany of the discomfiture of
Manfred, the Ghibellines and the Germans began to be discouraged and
to fear in all places; and the Guelf refugees from Florence, which
were in rebellion, and those who were under bounds in the territory,
and in many places, began to be strengthened and to take heart and
courage, and coming nearer to the city, plotted changes and mutations
within the city, by compacts with their friends within, which had
understanding with them, and they came as far as to the Servi of S.
Maria to take counsel, having hope from their people which had been at
the victory with King Charles, from whom with his French folk they
were expecting aid; wherefore the people of Florence, which were at
heart more Guelf than Ghibelline, through the losses they had
received, one of his father, another of his son, a third of his
brothers, at the defeat of Montaperti, likewise began to take
courage, and to murmur and to talk through the city, complaining of
the spendings and the outrageous burdens which they endured from Count
Guido Novello, and from the others which were ruling the city; whence
those which were ruling the city of Florence for the Ghibelline party,
hearing in the city the said tumult and murmuring, and fearing lest
the people should rebel against them, by a sort of half measure, and
to content the people, chose two knights of the Jovial Friars of
Bologna as Podestas of Florence, of which one was named M. Catalano of
the Malavolti, and the other M. Roderigo of Landolo, one held to be of
the party of the Guelfs, to wit, M. Catalano, and the other of the
party of the Ghibellines. And note that Jovial Friars was the name of
the Knights of S. Mary, and they became knights when they took that
habit, for they wore a white gown and a grey mantle; and for arms, a
white field with a red cross and two stars; and they were bound to
defend widows, and children under ward, and to be peace makers; and
other ordinances they had, as religious persons. And the said M.
Roderigo was the beginner of this Order; but it endured but a short
while, for the fact followed the name, to wit, they gave themselves
more to joviality than to aught else. These two friars were brought
thither by the people of Florence, and they put them in the People's
Palace over against the Badia, believing that by virtue of their habit
they would be impartial, and would guard the commonwealth from
extravagant spendings; the which, albeit in heart they were of diverse
parties, under cover of false hypocrisy were at one, more for their
own gain than for the public weal; and they ordained thirty-six good
men, merchants and artificers of the greatest and best which there
were in the city, the which were to give counsel to the said two
Podestas, and were to provide for the spendings of the commonwealth;
and of this number were both Guelfs and Ghibellines, popolani and
magnates which were to be trusted, which had remained in Florence at
the banishment of the Guelfs. And the said thirty-six met together
every day to take counsel as to the common well-being of the city, in
the shop and court of the consuls of Calimala, which was at the foot
of the house of the Cavalcanti in the Mercato Nuovo; the which made
many good ordinances for the common weal of the city, among which they
decreed that each one of the seven principal Arts in Florence should
have a college of consuls, and each should have its ensign and
standard, to the intent that, if any one in the city rose with force
of arms, they might under their ensigns stand for the defence of the
people and of the commonwealth. And the ensigns of the seven greater
Arts were these: the judges and notaries, an azure field charged with
a large golden star; the merchants of Calimala, to wit, of French
cloths, a red field with a golden eagle on a white globe; money
changers, a red field sewn with golden florins; wool merchants, a red
field charged with a white sheep; physicians and apothecaries, a red
field, thereupon S. Mary with her son Christ in her arms; silk
merchants and mercers, a white field charged with a red gate, from the
title of Porta Sante Marie; furriers, arms vair, and in one corner an
Agnus Dei upon an azure field. The next five, following upon the
greater arts, were regulated afterwards when the office of Priors of
the Arts was created, as in time hereafter we shall make mention; and
they had assigned to them after a similar fashion to the seven Arts,
standards and arms: to wit, the Baldrigari (that is, retail merchants
of Florentine cloths, of stockings, of linen cloths, and hucksters),
white and red standard; butchers, a yellow field with a black goat;
shoemakers, the transverse stripes, white and black, known as the
pezza gagliarda [gallant piece]; workers in stone and in timber, a red
field charged with the saw, and the axe, and the hatchet, and the
pick-axe; smiths and iron workers, a white field charged with large
black pincers.
Sec. 14.--_How the second Popolo rose in Florence, for the which cause
Count Guido Novello, with the Ghibelline leaders, left Florence._
[Sidenote: 1266 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Inf. xxxii. 121.]
By reason of the said doings in Florence by the said two Podestas and
the Thirty-six, the Ghibelline magnates in Florence, such as the
Uberti, the Fifanti, and Lamberti, and Scolari, and the others of the
great Ghibelline houses, began to have their factious fears raised,
for it seemed to them that the said Thirty-six supported and favoured
the Guelf popolani which had remained in Florence, and that every
change was against their party. Through this jealousy, and because of
the news of the victory of King Charles, Count Guido Novello sent for
help to all the neighbouring allies, such as were the Pisans, Sienese,
Aretines, Pistoians, and them of Prato, of Volterra, Colle, and
Sangimignano, so that with 600 Germans which he had, his horsemen in
Florence numbered 1,500. It came to pass that in order to pay the
German troops, which were with Count Guido Novello, captain of the
league, he required that an impost of 10 per cent. should be levied;
and the said Thirty-six sought some other method of finding the money,
less burdensome to the people. For this cause, when they delayed some
days longer than appeared fitting to the Count and to the other great
Ghibellines of Florence, by reason of the suspicion which they felt
concerning the ordinances made by the Popolo, the said nobles
determined to put the town in an uproar, and destroy the office of the
said Thirty-six, with the help of the great body of horse which the
vicar had in Florence; and when they were armed, the first that began
were the Lamberti, which with their armed troops sallied forth from
their houses in Calimala, saying, "Where are these thieving
Thirty-six, that we may cut them all in pieces?" which Thirty-six were
then taking counsel together in the shop where the consuls of Calimala
administered justice, under the house of the Cavalcanti in the Mercato
Nuovo. When the Thirty-six heard this they broke up the council, and
straightway the town rose in uproar, and the shops were closed, and
every man flew to arms. The people all gathered in the wide street of
Santa Trinita, and Messer Gianni de' Soldanieri made himself head of
the people to the end he might rise in estate, not considering the
end, that it must bring about loss to the Ghibelline party, and damage
to himself, which seems always to have happened in Florence to
whomsoever becomes head of the people; and thus armed, at the foot of
the house of the Soldanieri, the popolani gathered in very great
numbers and put up barricades at the foot of the tower of the
Girolami. Count Guido Novello, with all the horsemen and with the
Ghibelline magnates of Florence, was in arms and mounted in the piazza
of S. Giovanni; and they advanced against the people, and drew up
before the barricade on the ruins of the houses of the Tornaquinci,
and made some show and attempt at fighting, and some mounted Germans
passed within the barricade; the people defended it boldly with
crossbows and by hurling missiles from the towers and houses. When the
Count saw that they could not dislodge the people, he reversed the
banners and returned with all the horsemen to the piazza of S.
Giovanni, and then came to the palace on the piazza of S. Apollinari,
where were the two Podestas, M. Catalano and M. Roderigo, the Jovial
Friars; the horsemen meanwhile having command of the city from Porte
San Piero as far as San Firenze. The Count demanded the keys of the
gates of the city to depart from the town; and for fear missiles
should be hurled at him from the houses, he had for his safety on one
side of him Uberto de' Pucci, and on the other Cerchio dei Cerchi, and
behind him Guidingo Savorigi, which were of the said Thirty-six, and
among the greatest in the town. The said two friars were crying from
the palace, demanding with loud voices that the said Uberto and
Cerchio should come to them, to the end they might pray the Count to
return to his house and not depart; and they themselves would quiet
the people, and see that the soldiers were paid. The Count being in
greater suspicion and fear of the people than was called for, would
not wait, but would only have the keys of the gate; and this showed
that it was more the work of God than any other cause; for that great
and puissant body of horse had not been opposed nor driven out, nor
dismissed, nor was there any force of enemies against them; for albeit
the people were armed and gathered together, this was more from fear
than to oppose the Count and his horsemen, and they would soon have
been quieted, and have returned to their houses, and laid down their
arms. But when the judgment of God is ripe, the occasion is ever at
hand. When the Count had gotten the keys, during a great silence, he
caused a cry to be made whether all the Germans were there; he was
told that they were. Then the same was asked concerning the Pisans,
and likewise concerning all the cities of the league; and when he knew
that all were there, he gave orders to his standard-bearer to advance
with banners, and this was done; and they took the wide road of San
Firenze, and behind San Pietro Scheraggio and San Romeo to the old Ox
Gate, and when this was opened, the Count, with all his horsemen,
sallied forth, and held on by the moats behind San Jacopo, and by the
piazza of Santa Croce, where as yet there were no houses, and along
the Borgo di Pinti; and there stones were cast upon them; and they
turned by Cafaggio, and in the evening went to Prato; and this was on
S. Martin's Day, the 11th day of November, in the year of Christ 1266.
Sec. 15.--_How the Popolo restored the Guelfs to Florence, and how they
afterwards drave out the Ghibellines._
[Sidenote: 1266 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Inf. x. 58-69, 110, 111. Purg. xi. 97-99.]
[Sidenote: Vita Nuova iii. 96-104; xxiv. 18, 19; xxv. 111-113; xxxi.
21-24; xxxiii. 2-4. Sonnet xxxiii. 1. De Vulg. El. i. 13: 36; ii. 6:
68, 69; ii. 12: 16, 17, 62, 63.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Inf. x. 51.]
When Count Guido Novello, with all his horsemen and with many
Ghibelline leaders of Florence, reached Prato, they perceived that
they had done very foolishly in departing from the city of Florence,
without stroke of sword and not driven thence, and they perceived that
they had done ill, and took counsel to return to Florence the
following morning; and this they did; and they came all armed and in
battle array at the hour of tierce to the gate of the Carraia Bridge,
where is now the borough of Ognissanti, but there were no houses then;
and they demanded that the gate should be opened to them. The people
of Florence were in arms, and for fear lest the Count, returning with
his horsemen into Florence, might take vengeance upon them and
devastate the city, agreed together not to open the gate, but to
defend the city, which was very strong, with walls and with moats full
of water around the second circle; and when they would have made a
dash for the gate, they were shot at and wounded; and there they abode
until after noon, and neither by persuasions nor by threats were they
allowed to enter in. They returned to Prato gloomy and shamed, and as
they were returning, being angry, they attacked the fortress of
Capalle, but did not take it. And when they came to Prato they
bitterly reproached each other; but after a thing ill-judged, and
worse carried out, repentance is in vain. The Florentines which were
left reorganized the town, and dismissed the said two Podestas, the
Jovial Friars of Bologna, and sent to Orvieto for aid in soldiers, and
for a Podesta and Captain, which Orvietans sent 100 horsemen to guard
the city, and M. Ormanno Monaldeschi was Podesta, and another
gentleman of Orvieto was the Captain of the People. And by a treaty of
peace, the following January the Popolo restored to Florence both
Guelfs and Ghibellines, and caused many marriages and alliances to be
made between them, among the which these were the chief: that M.
Bonaccorso Bellincioni degli Adimari gave for wife to M. Forese, his
son, the daughter of Count Guido Novello, and M. Bindo, his brother,
took one of the Ubaldini; and M. Cavalcante, of the Cavalcanti, gave
for wife to his son Guido the daughter of M. Farinata degli Uberti;
and M. Simone Donati gave his daughter to M. Azzolino, son of M.
Farinata degli Uberti; for the which alliances the other Guelfs of
Florence distrusted their loyalty to the party; and for the said
reason the said peace endured but a little while; for when the said
Guelfs had returned to Florence, feeling themselves stronger and
emboldened by the victory which they had gained over Manfred, with
King Charles, they sent secretly into Apulia to the said King Charles
for soldiers, and for a captain, and he sent Count Guy of Montfort,
with 800 French horsemen, and he came to Florence on Easter Day of the
Resurrection in the year of Christ 1267. And when the Ghibellines
heard of his coming, the night before they departed from Florence
without stroke of sword, and some went to Siena, and some to Pisa, and
to other places. The Florentine Guelfs gave the lordship over the city
to King Charles for ten years, and when they sent him their free and
full election by solemn embassy, with authority over life and death
and in lesser judgments, the king answered that he desired from the
Florentines their love and good-will and no other jurisdiction;
nevertheless, at the prayer of the commonwealth he accepted it simply,
and sent thither year by year his vicars; and he appointed twelve good
citizens to rule the city with the vicar. And it may be noted
concerning this banishment of the Ghibellines, that it was on the same
day, Easter Day of the Resurrection, whereon they had committed the
murder of M. Bondelmonte de' Bondelmonti, whence the factions in
Florence broke out, and the city was laid waste; and it seemed like a
judgment from God, for never afterwards did they return to their
estate.
Sec. 16.--_How, after the Ghibellines had been driven from Florence, the
ordinances and councils of the city were reorganized._
[Sidenote: 1267 A.D.]
When the Guelf party had returned to Florence, and the vicar or
Podesta was come from King Charles (the first of them being M. . . .),
and after twelve good men had been appointed, as of old the Ancients,
to rule the republic, the council was re-made of 100 good men of the
people, without whose deliberation no great thing or cost could be
carried out; and after any measure had been passed in this council, it
was put to the vote in the council of the colleges of consuls of the
greater Arts, and the council of the credenza [privy council of the
Captain of the People] of eighty. These councillors, which, when
united with the general council, numbered 300, were all popolani and
Guelfs. After measures had been passed in the said councils, the
following day the same proposals were brought before the councils of
the Podesta, first before the council of ninety, including both
magnates and popolani (and with them associated yet again the colleges
of consuls of the Arts), and then before the general council, which
was of 300 men of every condition; and these were called the
occasional councils; and they had in their gift governorships of
fortresses, and dignities, and small and great offices. And this
ordered, they appointed revisors, and corrected all statutes and
ordinances, and ordered that they should be issued each year. In this
manner was ordered the state and course of the commonwealth and of the
people of Florence at the return of the Guelfs; and the chancellors of
finance were the monks of Settimo and of Ognissanti on alternate
half-years.
Sec. 17.--_How the Guelfs of Florence instituted the Ordinances of the
Party._
[Sidenote: 1267 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Cf. Inf. x. 120.]
In these times, when the Ghibellines had been driven out from
Florence, the Guelfs which had returned thither being at strife
concerning the goods of the Ghibelline rebels, sent their ambassadors
to the court, to Pope Urban and to King Charles, to order their
affairs, which Pope Urban and King Charles for their estate and peace
ordered them in this manner, that the goods should be divided into
three parts--one part to be given to the commonwealth, the second to
be awarded in compensation to the Guelfs which had been ruined and
exiled, the third to be awarded for a certain time to the "Guelf
Party"; but afterwards all the said goods fell to the Party, whence
they formed a fund, and increased it every day, as a reserve against
the day of need of the Party; concerning which fund, when the Cardinal
Ottaviano degli Ubaldini heard thereof, he said, "Since the Guelfs of
Florence are funding a reserve, the Ghibellines will never return
thither." And by the command of the Pope and the king, the said Guelfs
made three knights heads of the Party, and called them at first
consuls of the knights, and afterwards they called them Captains of
the Party, and they held office for two months, the sesti electing
them alternately, three and three; and they gathered to their councils
in the new church of Santa Maria Sopra Porta, being the most central
place in the city, and where there are most Guelf houses around; and
their privy council consisted of fourteen, and their larger council of
sixty magnates and popolani, by whose vote were elected the Captains
of the Party and other officers. And they called three magnates and
three popolani Priors of the Party, to whom were committed the order
and care of the money of the Party; and also one to hold the seal, and
a syndic to prosecute the Ghibellines. And all their secret documents
they deposited in the church of the Servi Sancte Marie. After like
manner the Ghibelline refugees made ordinances and captains. We have
said enough of the Ordinances of the Party, and we will return to the
general events, and to other things.
Sec. 18.--_How the soldan of the Saracens took Antioch._ Sec. 19.--_How
the Guelfs of Florence took the castle of Santellero, with many Ghibelline
rebels._ Sec. 20.--_How many cities and towns of Tuscany went over to the
Guelf party._ Sec. 21.--_How King Charles's marshal advanced upon Siena
with the Florentines, and how the king came to Florence and took
Poggibonizzi._ Sec. 22.--_How King Charles with the Florentines marched
upon the city of Pisa._
Sec. 23.--_How the young Conradino, son of King Conrad, came from Germany
into Italy against King Charles._
[Sidenote: 1267 A.D.]
[Sidenote: 1268 A.D.]
King Charles being in Tuscany, the Ghibelline refugees from Florence
formed themselves into a league and company with the Pisans and
Sienese, and came to an agreement with Don Henry of Spain, which was
Roman senator, and already at enmity with King Charles, his cousin.
Therefore, with certain barons of Apulia and Sicily, he made oath and
conspiracy to make certain towns in Sicily and in Apulia to rebel, and
to send into Germany, and to stir up Conradino, which was the son of
Conrad, the son of the Emperor Frederick, to cross into Italy to take
away Sicily and the Kingdom from King Charles. And so it was done; for
immediately in Apulia there rose in rebellion Nocera of the Saracens,
and Aversa in Terra di Lavoro, and many places in Calabria, and almost
all in Abruzzi, if we except Aquila, and in Sicily almost all, or a
great part of the island of Sicily, if we except Messina and Palermo;
and Don Henry caused Rome to rebel, and all Campagna and the country
around; and the Pisans and the Sienese and the other Ghibelline cities
sent of their money 100,000 golden florins to stir up the said
Conradino, who being very young, sixteen years old, set forth from
Germany, against his mother's will, who was daughter of the duke of
Austria, and who was not willing for him to depart because of his
youth. And he came to Verona in the month of February, in the year of
Christ 1267, with many barons and good men-at-arms from Germany in his
train; and it is said that there followed him as far as Verona nigh
upon 10,000 men on horses or ponies, but through lack of means a great
part returned to Germany, yet there remained of the best 3,500 German
cavalry. And from Verona he passed through Lombardy, and by the way of
Pavia he came to the coast of Genoa, and arrived beyond Saona at the
shores of Varagine, and there put out to sea, and by means of the
forces of the Genoese, with their fleet of twenty-five galleys, came
by sea to Pisa, and arrived there in May in 1268, and by the Pisans
and by all the Ghibellines of Italy was received with great honour,
almost as if he had been Emperor. His cavalry came by land, crossing
the mountains of Pontremoli, and arrived at Serrazzano, which was held
by the Pisans, and then took the way of the seacoast with an escort as
far as Pisa. King Charles, hearing how Conradino was come into Italy,
and hearing of the rebellion of his cities in Sicily and Apulia,
caused by the treacherous barons of the Kingdom (the most of whom he
had released from prison), and by Don Henry of Spain, immediately
departed from Tuscany, and by hasty marches came into Apulia, and left
in Tuscany M. William di Belselve, his marshal, and with him M.
William, the standard-bearer, with 800 French and Provencal horsemen
to keep the cities of Tuscany for his party, and to oppose Conradino
so that he should not be able to pass. And Pope Clement, hearing of
the coming of Conradino, sent to him his messengers and legates,
commanding him, under pain of excommunication, not to go forward, nor
to oppose King Charles, the champion and vicar of Holy Church. But
Conradino did not by reason of this abandon his enterprise, nor would
he obey the commands of the Pope, forasmuch as he believed that his
cause was just, and that the Kingdom and Sicily were his, and of his
patrimony, and therefore he fell under sentence of excommunication
from the Church, which he despised and cared little for; but being in
Pisa, he collected money and people, and all the Ghibellines and
whosoever belonged to the imperial party, gathered themselves to him,
whence his force grew greatly. And being in Pisa, his host marched
against the city of Lucca, which was held for the party of Holy
Church, and within it were the marshal of King Charles with his
people, and the legate of the Pope and of the Church, with the forces
of the Florentines and of the other Guelfs of Tuscany, and with many
who had taken the cross, and through proclamations and indulgences and
pardons given by the Pope and by his legates, had come against
Conradino; and he remained over against Lucca ten days with his host;
and the two hosts met together to fight at Ponterotto, two miles
distant from Lucca, but they did not fight, but each one shunned the
battle, and they remained one on each side of the Guiscianella; so
they returned, the one part to Pisa, and the other to Lucca.
Sec. 24.--_How the marshal of King Charles was defeated at Ponte a Valle
by Conradino's army._
[Sidenote: 1268 A.D.]
Then Conradino departed with his followers from Pisa, and came to
Poggibonizzi, and when the inhabitants thereof heard how Conradino was
come to Pisa, they rebelled against King Charles and against the
commonwealth of Florence, and sent the keys to Pisa to Conradino. And
then from Poggibonizzi he went to Siena, and by the Sienese was
received with great honour; and whilst he sojourned in Siena, the
marshal of King Charles, which was called, as we have said, M. William
di Belselve, with his people, departed from Florence on S. John's Day
in June to go to Arezzo to hinder the movements of Conradino; and by
the Florentines they were escorted and accompanied as far as
Montevarchi; and they desired to accompany him till he should be nigh
unto Arezzo, hearing that the journey was like to be disputed, and
fearing an ambush in the region round about Arezzo. The said marshal,
being beyond measure confident in his people, would have the
Florentines accompany him no further, and in front of the cavalcade he
set M. William, the standard-bearer, with 300 horsemen well armed and
in readiness, and he passed on safe and sound. The marshal, with 500
of his horsemen, not on their guard nor keeping their ranks, and for
the most part unarmed, prepared to advance, and when they came to the
bridge at Valle which crosses the Arno nigh to Laterino, there sallied
forth upon their rear an ambush of the followers of Conradino, which,
hearing of the march of the said marshal, had departed from Siena
under conduct of the Ubertini and other Ghibelline refugees from
Florence; and being come to the said bridge, the French, not being
prepared, and without much defence, were defeated and slain, and the
greater part were taken, and those which fled towards Valdarno to the
region round about Florence were taken and spoiled as if they had been
enemies; and the said M. William, the marshal, and M. Amelio di
Corbano, and many other barons and knights were taken and brought to
Siena to Conradino, and this was the day after the Feast of S. John,
the 25th day of the month of June, in the year of Christ 1268. At
which defeat and capture the followers of King Charles and all those
of the Guelf party were much dismayed, and Conradino and his people
increased thereupon in great pride and courage, and held the French
almost for naught. And this being heard in the Kingdom, many cities
rebelled against King Charles. And at this time King Charles was at
the siege of the city of Nocera of the Saracens in Apulia, which had
rebelled, to the end that the others on the coast of Apulia, which
were all subject to him, might not rebel against him.
Sec. 25.--_How Conradino entered into Rome, and afterwards with his host
passed into the kingdom of Apulia._
[Sidenote: 1268 A.D.]
Conradino, having sojourned somewhat in Siena, departed to Rome, and
by the Romans and by Don Henry, the senator, was received with great
honour, as if he had been Emperor, and in Rome he gathered together
people and money, and despoiled the treasures of S. Peter and the
other churches of Rome to raise monies; and he had in Rome more than
5,000 horsemen, what with Germans and Italians, together with those
of the senator, Don Henry, brother of the king of Spain, which had
with him full 800 good Spanish horsemen. And Conradino, hearing that
King Charles was with his host in Apulia at the city of Nocera, and
that many of the cities and barons of the Kingdom had rebelled, and
that others were suspected, it seemed to him a convenient time to
enter into the Kingdom, and he departed from Rome the 10th day of
August, in the year of Christ 1268, with the said Don Henry, and with
his company and his barons, and with many Romans; and he did not take
the way of Campagna, forasmuch as he knew that the pass of Cepperano
was furnished and guarded; wherefore he did not desire to contest it,
but took the way of the mountains between the Abruzzi and the Campagna
by Valle di Celle, where there was no guard nor garrison; and without
any hindrance he passed on and came into the plain of San Valentino in
the country of Tagliacozzo.
Sec. 26.--_How the host of Conradino and that of King Charles met in
battle at Tagliacozzo._
[Sidenote: 1268 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Inf. xxviii. 17, 18.]
King Charles, hearing how Conradino was departed from Rome with his
followers to enter into the Kingdom, broke up his camp at Nocera, and
with all his people came against Conradino by hasty marches, and at
the city of Aquila in Abruzzi awaited his followers. And being at
Aquila, he took counsel with the men of the city, exhorting them to be
leal and true, and to make provision for the host; whereupon a wise
and ancient inhabitant rose and said: "King Charles, take no further
counsel, and do not avoid a little toil, to the end thou mayest have
continual repose. Delay no longer, but go against the enemy, and let
him not gain ground, and we will be leal and true to thee." The king,
hearing such sage counsel, without any delay or further parley,
departed by the road crossing the mountains, and came close to the
host of Conradino in the place and plain of San Valentino, and there
was nought between them save the river of . . . King Charles had of
his people, between Frenchmen and Provencals and Italians, less than
3,000 cavaliers, and seeing that Conradino had many more people than
he, he took the counsel of the good M. Alardo di Valleri, a French
knight of great wisdom and prowess, which at that time had arrived in
Apulia from over seas from the Holy Land, who said to King Charles, if
he desired to be victorious it behoved him to use stratagems of war
rather than force. King Charles, trusting much in the wisdom of the
said M. Alardo, committed to him the entire direction of the host and
of the battle, who drew up the king's followers in three troops, and
of one he made captain M. Henry of Cosance, tall in person, and a good
knight at arms; he was armed with royal insignia in place of the
king's person, and led Provencals and Tuscans and Lombards, and men of
the Campagna. The second troop was of Frenchmen, whereof were captains
M. Jean de Clery, and M. William, the standard-bearer; and he put the
Provencals to guard the bridge over the said river, to the end the
host of Conradino might not pass without the disadvantage of combat.
King Charles, with the flower of his chivalry and barons, to the
number of 800 cavaliers, he placed in ambush behind a little hill in a
valley, and with King Charles there remained the said M. Alardo di
Valleri, with M. William de Ville, and Arduino, prince of the Morea, a
right valiant knight. Conradino, on the other side, formed his
followers in three troops, one of Germans, whereof he was captain
with the duke of Austria, and with many counts and barons; the second
of Italians, whereof he made captain Count Calvagno, with certain
Germans; the third was of Spaniards, whereof was captain Don Henry of
Spain, their lord. In this array, one host over against the other, the
rebel barons of the Kingdom guilefully, in order to cause dismay to
King Charles and his followers, caused false ambassadors to come into
the camp of Conradino, in full pomp, with keys in their hands, and
with large presents, saying that they were sent from the commonwealth
of Aquila to give him the keys and the lordship of the city, as his
men and faithful subjects, to the end he might deliver them from the
tyranny of King Charles. For which cause the host of Conradino and he
himself, deeming it to be true, rejoiced greatly; and this being heard
in the host of King Charles caused great dismay, forasmuch as they
feared to lose the victual which came to them from that side, and also
the aid of the men of Aquila. The king himself, hearing this, was
seized with so great pangs that in the night season he set forth with
a few of the host in his company, and came to Aquila that same night,
and causing the guards at the gates to be asked for whom they held the
city, they answered, For King Charles: who, having entered in without
dismounting from his horse, having exhorted them to good watch,
immediately returned to the host, and was there early in the morning:
and because of the weariness of going and returning by night from
Aquila, King Charles laid him down and slept.
Sec. 27.--_How Conradino and his people were defeated by King Charles._
[Sidenote: 1268 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Inf. xxviii. 17, 18.]
Now Conradino and his host were puffed up with the vain hope that
Aquila had rebelled against King Charles, and therefore, all drawn up
in battle array, they raised their battle cry, and made a vigorous
rush to force the passages of the river and engage with King Charles.
King Charles, albeit he was reposing, as we have said, hearing the din
of the enemy, and how they were in arms and ready for battle,
immediately caused his followers to arm and array themselves after the
order and fashion whereof we before made mention. And the troop of the
Provencals, which was led by M. Henry of Cosance, being at guard on
the bridge to hinder the passing of Don Henry of Spain and his people,
the Spaniards set themselves to ford the river, which was not very
great, and began to enclose the troop of Provencals which were
defending the bridge. Conradino and the rest of his host, seeing the
Spaniards had crossed, began to pass the river, and with great fury
assailed the followers of King Charles, and in a short time had routed
and defeated the Provencal troop; and the said M. Henry of Cosance;
and the standard of King Charles was beaten down, and M. Henry himself
was slain. Don Henry and the Germans, believing they had got King
Charles in person, inasmuch as he wore the royal insignia, all fell
upon him at once. And the said Provencal troop being routed, they
dealt in like fashion with the French and the Italian troop, which was
led by M. Jean de Clery and M. William, the standard-bearer, because
the followers of Conradino were two to one against those of King
Charles, and very fierce and violent in battle; and the followers of
King Charles, seeing themselves thus sore bestead, took to flight, and
abandoned the field. The Germans believed themselves victorious, not
knowing of King Charles's ambush, and began to scatter themselves over
the field, giving their minds to plunder and booty. King Charles was
upon the little hill above the valley, where was his troop, with M.
Alardo di Valleri, and with Count Guy of Montfort, beholding the
battle; and when he saw his people thus routed, first one troop and
then the other thus put to flight, he was deadly grieved, and longed
even to put in motion his own troop to go to the succour of the
others. M. Alardo, which was commander of the host, and wise in war,
with great temperance and with wise words much restrained the king,
saying that for God's sake he should suffer it a while, if he desired
the honour of the victory, because he knew the cupidity of the
Germans, and how greedy they were for booty; and he must let them
break up more from their troops; and when he saw them well scattered,
he said to the king: "Let the banners set forth, for now it is time;"
and so it was done. And when the said troop sallied forth from the
valley, neither Conradino nor his followers believed that they were
enemies, but that they were of their own party; and they were not upon
their guard; and the king, coming with his followers in close ranks,
came straight to where was the troop of Conradino, with the chief
among his barons, and there began fierce and violent combat, albeit it
endured not long, seeing that the followers of Conradino were faint
and weary with fighting, and had not near so many horsemen in battle
array as those of the king, forasmuch as the greater part were
wandering out of the ranks, some pursuing the enemy and some scattered
over the field in search of booty and prisoners; and the troop of
Conradino, by reason of the unexpected assault of the enemy, was
continually diminishing, and that of King Charles continually
increasing, because his first troops, which had been put to flight
through the first defeat, recognising the royal standard, joined on to
his company, insomuch that in a little while Conradino and his
followers were discomfited. And when Conradino perceived that the
fortunes of war were against him, by the counsel of his greater barons
he took to flight, together with the duke of Austria, and Count
Calvagno, and Count Gualferano, and Count Gherardo da Pisa, and many
more. M. Alardo di Valleri, seeing the enemy put to flight, cried
aloud, praying and entreating the king and the captains of the troop
not to set forth either in pursuit of the enemy or other prey, fearing
lest the followers of Conradino should gather together, or should
sally forth from some ambush, but to abide firm and in order on the
field; and so was it done. And this was very fortunate, for Don Henry,
with his Spaniards, and other Germans, which had pursued into a valley
the Provencals and Italians whom they had first discomfited, and which
had not seen King Charles offer battle nor the discomfiture of
Conradino, had now gathered his men together, and was returning to the
field; and seeing King Charles' troop, he believed them to be
Conradino and his following, so that he came down from the hill where
he had assembled his men, to come to his allies; and when he drew nigh
unto them, he recognised the standards of the enemy, and how much
deceived he had been; and he was sore dismayed; but, like the valiant
lord he was, he rallied and closed up his troop after such a fashion
that King Charles and his followers, which were spent by the toils of
the combat, did not venture to strike into Don Henry's troop, and to
the end they might not risk the game already won, they abode in array
over against one another a good space. The good M. Alardo, seeing
this, said to the king that they must needs make the enemy break their
ranks in order to rout them; whereon the king bade him act after his
mind. Then he took of the best barons of the king's troop from twenty
to thirty, and they set forth from the troop, as though they fled for
fear, as he had instructed them. The Spaniards, seeing how the
standard-bearers of sundry of these lords were wheeling round as
though in act to flee, with vain hope began to cry: "They are put to
flight," and began to leave their own ranks, desiring to pursue them.
King Charles, seeing gaps and openings in the troop of Spaniards, and
others on the German side, began boldly to strike among them, and M.
Alardo with his men wisely gathered themselves together and returned
to the troop. Then was the battle fierce and hard; but the Spaniards
were well armed, and by stroke of sword might not be struck to the
ground, and continually after their fashion they drew close together.
Then began the French to cry out wrathfully, and to take hold of them
by the arms and drag them from their horses after the manner of
tournaments; and this was done to such good purpose that in a short
time they were routed, and defeated, and put to flight, and many of
them lay dead on the field. Don Henry, with many of his followers,
fled to Monte Cascino, and said that King Charles was defeated. The
abbot, which was lord of those lands, knew Don Henry, and judging by
divers signs that they were fugitives, caused him and great part of
his people to be seized. King Charles, with all his followers,
remained upon the field, armed and on horseback, until the night, to
the end he might gather together his men, and to be sure of full
victory over the enemy; and this defeat was on the vigil of S.
Bartholomew, on the 23rd day of August, in the year of Christ 1268.
And in that place King Charles afterwards caused a rich abbey to be
built for the souls of his men which had been slain; which is called
S. Mary of the Victory, in the plain of Tagliacozzo.
Sec. 28.--_Of the vision that came to Pope Clement concerning the
discomfiture of Conradino._
Sec. 29.--_How Conradino and certain of his barons were taken by King
Charles, and how he caused their heads to be cut off._
[Sidenote: 1268 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Purg. xx. 68.]
Conradino, with the duke of Austria and with many others, which were
fled from the field with him, arrived at the beach towards Rome upon
the seashore hard by a place which is called Asturi, which pertained
to the Infragnipani, noblemen of Rome; and when they were come
thither, they had a pinnace furnished to pass into Sicily, hoping to
escape from King Charles; and in Sicily, which had almost all rebelled
against the king, to recover state and lordship. They having already
embarked unrecognised on the said vessel, one of the said Infragnipani
which was in Asturi, seeing that they were in great part Germans, and
fine men and of noble aspect, and knowing of the defeat, was minded to
gain riches for himself, and therefore he took the said lords
prisoners; and having learnt of their conditions, and how Conradino
was among them, he led them captive to King Charles, for which cause
the king gave him land and lordship at Pilosa, between Naples and
Benivento. And when the king had Conradino and those lords in his
hands, he took counsel what he should do. At last he was minded to put
them to death, and he caused by way of process an inquisition to be
made against them, as against traitors to the Crown and enemies of
Holy Church, and this was carried out; for on the . . . day were
beheaded Conradino, and the duke of Austria, and Count Calvagno, and
Count Gualferano, and Count Bartolommeo and two of his sons, and Count
Gherardo of the counts of Doneratico of Pisa, on the market place at
Naples, beside the stream of water which runs over against the church
of the Carmelite friars; and the king would not suffer them to be
buried in a sacred place, but under the sand of the market place,
forasmuch as they were excommunicate. And thus with Conradino ended
the line of the house of Suabia, which was so powerful both in
emperors and in kings, as before we have made mention. But certainly
we may see, both by reason and by experience, that whosoever rises
against Holy Church, and is excommunicate, his end must needs be evil
for soul and for body; and therefore the sentence of excommunication
of Holy Church, just or unjust, is always to be feared, for very open
miracles have come to pass confirming this, as whoso will may read in
ancient chronicles; as also by this present chronicle it may be seen
with regard to the emperors and lords of past times, which were rebels
and persecutors of Holy Church. Yet because of the said judgment King
Charles was much blamed by the Pope and by his cardinals, and by all
wise men, forasmuch as he had taken Conradino and his followers by
chance of battle, and not by treachery, and it would have been better
to keep him prisoner than to put him to death. And some said that the
Pope assented thereto; but we do not give faith to this, forasmuch as
he was held to be a holy man. And it seems that by reason of
Conradino's innocence, which was of such tender age to be adjudged to
death, God showed forth a miracle against King Charles, for not many
years after God sent him great adversities when he thought himself to
be in highest state, as hereafter in his history we shall make
mention. To the judge which condemned Conradino, Robert, son of the
count of Flanders, the king's son-in-law, when he had read the
condemnation, gave a sword-thrust, saying that it was not lawful for
him to sentence to death so great and noble a man, from which blow the
judge died; and it was in the king's presence, and there was never a
word said thereof, forasmuch as Robert was very high in the favour of
the king, and it seemed to the king and to all the barons that he had
acted like a worthy lord. Now Don Henry of Spain was likewise in the
king's prison, but forasmuch as he was his cousin by blood, and
because the abbot of Monte Cascino, which had brought him prisoner to
the king, to the end he might not break his rule, had made a compact
with him that he should not be put to death, the king would not
condemn him to death, but to perpetual imprisonment, and sent him
prisoner to the fortress in the hill Sanctae Mariae in Apulia; and many
other barons of Apulia and of Abruzzi, which had opposed King Charles
and been rebellious against him, he put to death with divers torments.
[Sidenote: 1268 A.D.]
Sec. 30.--_How King Charles recovered all the lands in Sicily and in
Apulia which had rebelled against him._
Sec. 31.--_How the Florentines defeated the Sienese at the foot of Colle
di Valdelsa._
[Sidenote: 1269 A.D.]
[Sidenote: Purg. xiii. 115-119.]
[Sidenote: Purg. xi. 109-114, 120-123.]
In the year of Christ 1269, in the month of June, the Sienese, whereof
M. Provenzano Salvani, of Siena, was governor, with Count Guido
Novello, with the German and Spanish troops, and with the Ghibelline
refugees from Florence and from the other cities of Tuscany, and with
the forces of the Pisans, to the number of 1,400 horse and 8,000 foot,
marched upon the stronghold of Colle di Valdelsa, which was under the
lordship of the Florentines; and this they did because the Florentines
had come in May with an army to destroy Poggibonizzi. And when they
had encamped at the abbey of Spugnole, and the news was come to
Florence on Friday evening, on Saturday morning M. Giambertaldo, vicar
of King Charles for the league of Tuscany, departed from Florence with
his troops which he then had with him in Florence to wit 400 French
horse; and sounding the bell, and being followed by the Guelfs of
Florence on horse and on foot, he came with his cavalry to Colle on
Sunday evening, and there were about 800 horsemen or less with but few
of the people, forasmuch as they could not reach Colle so speedily as
the horsemen. It came to pass that on the following Monday morning,
the day of S. Barnabas, in June, the Sienese, hearing that the
horsemen had come from Florence, broke up their camp near the said
abbey and withdrew to a safer place. M. Giambertaldo, seeing the camp
in motion, without awaiting more men passed the bridge with his horse
and marshalled his troops with the cavalry of Florence and such of the
people as had arrived together with them of Colle (who by reason of
the sudden coming of the Florentines were not duly arrayed either with
captains of the host or with the standard of the commonwealth); and M.
Giambertaldo took the standard of the commonwealth of Florence and
requested of the horsemen of Florence, amongst whom were
representatives of all the Guelf houses, that one of them should take
it; but none advanced to take it, whether through cowardice or through
jealousy, one of the other; and after they had been a long time in
suspense, M. Aldobrandini, of the house of Pazzi, boldly stepped
forward and said: "I take it to the honour of God and of the victory
of our commonwealth;" wherefore he was much commended for his
boldness; and straightway he advanced, and all the horsemen followed
him, and struck boldly into the ranks of the Sienese; and albeit it
was not held to be very wise and prudent leadership, yet as it pleased
God these bold and courageous folk with good success broke up and
defeated the Sienese and their allies, which numbered well-nigh twice
as many horse and a great number of foot, whereof many were slain and
taken; and if on the Florentine side the foot had arrived and had been
at the battle, scarce one of the Sienese would have escaped. Count
Guido Novello fled, and M. Provenzano Salvani, lord and commander of
the host of the Sienese, was taken prisoner; and they cut off his head
and carried it through all the camp fixed on a lance. And truly thus
was fulfilled the prophecy and revelation made to him by the devil by
means of incantation, though he did not understand it; for having
invoked him to learn how he would fare in that expedition, he made a
lying answer and said, "Thou wilt go and fight; thou goest to conquer
not to die in the battle, and thy head shall be the highest in the
field;" and he, thinking to have the victory from these words, and
thinking he would remain lord over all, did not put the stop in the
right place and detect the fraud, where he said, "Thou goest to
conquer not, to die," etc. And therefore it is great folly to believe
in such counsel as is that of the devil. This M. Provenzano was a
great man in Siena in his day after the victory which he gained at
Montaperti, and he ruled all the city; and all the Ghibelline party in
Tuscany made him their head, and he was very presumptuous in will. In
this battle the said M. Giambertaldo bore himself like a valiant lord
in fighting against his enemies, and likewise did his followers and
all the Guelfs of Florence, making great slaughter of their enemies to
avenge their kinsfolk and friends which were slain at the defeat of
Montaperti; and none, or scarce any, did they lead to prison, but put
them all to death and to the sword; wherefore the city of Siena, in
comparison with the number of its inhabitants, suffered greater loss
of its citizens in this defeat than Florence did on the day of
Montaperti; and they left on the field all their belongings. For the
which thing a little while after, the Florentines restored the Guelf
refugees to Siena and drave out the Ghibellines and made peace between
one commonwealth and the other, remaining ever after friends and
allies. And in this manner ended the war between the Florentines and
the Sienese which had endured so long.
[Sidenote: 1269 A.D.]
Sec. 32.--_How the Florentines took the castle of Ostina in Valdarno._
Sec. 33.--_How the Florentines, serving for the Lucchese, marched upon
Pisa._
Sec. 34.--_How there was a great flood of waters which carried away the
Santa Trinita Bridge and the Carraia Bridge._
[Sidenote: 1269 A.D.]
In the said year 1269, on the night of the first of October, there was
so great a flood of rain and waters from heaven, raining down
continually for two nights and one day, that all the rivers of Italy
increased more than had ever been known before; and the river of Arno
overflowed its borders so beyond measure that a great part of the city
of Florence became a lake, and this was by reason of much wood which
the rivers brought down, which was caught and lay across at the foot
of the Santa Trinita Bridge in such wise, that the water of the river
was so stopped up that it spread through the city, whence many persons
were drowned and many houses ruined. At last so great was the force of
the river that it tore down the said bridge of Santa Trinita, and
again by the disgorging thereof the rush of the water and of the
timber struck and destroyed the Carraia Bridge; and when they were
destroyed and cast down the height of the river, which had been kept
up by the said retention and damming of the river, went down, and the
fulness of the water ceased which had spread through the city.
Sec. 35.--_How certain rebel nobles in Florence were beheaded._ Sec.
36.--_How the Florentines took the stronghold of Piandimezzo in
Valdarno, and how they destroyed Poggibonizzi._
Sec. 37.--_-How King Louis of France made an expedition to Tunis, wherein
he died._
[Sidenote: 1270 A.D.]
In the year of Christ 1270 the good King Louis of France, which was a
most Christian man, and of good life and works, not only as becomes a
man of the world, being king over so great a realm and dominion, but
also as becomes a man of religion, ever working for the good of Holy
Church and of Christianity, not fearing the great toil and cost which
he endured in the expedition over seas when he and his brothers were
taken prisoners at Monsura by the Saracens, as we made mention before;
set his heart, as it pleased God, on going once more against the
Saracens and the enemies of the Christians; and this he carried out
with great zeal and preparation, taking the cross and gathering
treasure, and calling upon all his barons and knights and good men of
his realm. And this done, he set forth from Paris and came into
Provence, and from there with a great fleet he set sail from his port
of Aigues Mortes in Provence with his three sons, Philip and John and
Louis, and with the king of Navarre, his son-in-law, and with all his
chief men, counts and dukes and barons of the realm of France, and his
friends from without the realm. And on his expedition there afterwards
followed him Edward, son of the king of England, with many Englishmen
and Scots and Frisians and Germans, more than 5,000 horse; the which
army and crusade was an almost innumerable company on horse and on
foot, and were reckoned 200,000 fighting men. And believing it to be
the better course they determined to go against the kingdom of Tunis,
thinking that if it could be taken by the Christians they would be in
a very central place whence they could more easily afterwards take the
kingdom of Egypt, and could cut off and wholly impede the force of the
Saracens in the realm of Ceuta, and also that of Granada. And the said
host with their fleet passed over safe and sound and came to the port
of the ancient city of Carthage, which is distant from Tunis fifteen
miles; the which Carthage, whereof some part had been rebuilt and
fortified by the Saracens in defence of the port, was very soon
stormed by the Christians. And when the Christians would have entered
into the city of Tunis, as it pleased God, by reason of the sins of
the Christians, the air of those shores began to be greatly corrupted,
and above all in the camp of the Christians, by reason that they were
not accustomed to the air, and by reason of their hardships and the
excessive crowding of men and of animals, for the which thing there
died first John, son of the said King Louis, and then the cardinal of
Albano, which was there for the Pope, and afterwards there fell sick
and died the said good King Louis with a very great number of counts
and of barons; and an innumerable company of the common folk died
there. Wherefore Christendom suffered very great loss, and the said
host was well-nigh all dispersed, and came well-nigh to naught without
stroke of the enemy. And albeit the said King Louis had not had good
success in his enterprises against the Saracens, yet in his death he
had good success for his soul; and the king of Navarre, which was
there present, wrote in his letters to the cardinal of Tusculum that
in his infirmity he did not cease to praise God, continually saying
this prayer: "Cause us, Lord, to hate the prosperity of the world, and
to fear no adversity." Then he prayed for the people which he had
brought with him, saying, "Lord, be Thou the Sanctifier and Guardian
of Thy people," and the other words which follow in the said prayer.
And at last, when he came to die, he lift up his eyes to heaven and
said: "Introibo in domum tuam, adorabo ad templum sanctum tuum, et
confitebor nomini tuo" [see Ps. v. 7]. And this said he died in
Christ. And when his host heard of his death they were greatly
troubled, and the Saracens greatly rejoiced; but in this sorrow
Philip, his son, was made king of France, and King Charles, brother of
the said King Louis, which had sent for him before he died, came from
Sicily and arrived in Carthage with a great fleet and with many
followers and reinforcements, whence the Christian host regained great
vigour, and the Saracens were afraid. And albeit the Saracen host was
increased by an innumerable company, for from every place the Arabs
were come to succour them, and there were many more of them than of
the Christians, yet they never dared to come to a pitched battle with
the Christians; but they came with ambushes and with artifices, and
did them much hurt; and this was one among others, that the said
country is very sandy, and when it is dry there is very much dust;
wherefore the Saracens, when the wind was blowing against the
Christian host, stationed themselves in great numbers upon the hills
where was the said sand, and stirring it up with their horses and with
their feet, set it all in motion, and caused much annoyance and
vexation to the host; but when water rained down from heaven the said
plague ceased, and King Charles with the Christians, having prepared
engines of divers fashions both for sea and land, set himself to
attack the city of Tunis; and of a truth it is said, if they had gone
on, in a short time they would have taken the city by force, or the
king of Tunis with his Turks and Arabs would have abandoned it.
Sec. 38.--_How King Charles concluded a treaty with the king of Tunis,
and how the host departed._
[Sidenote: 1270 A.D.]