The Story of Siena and San GimignanoGardner, Edmund G.
History
The Story of Siena and San Gimignano
Gardner, Edmund G.
Art -- Italy -- Siena; San Gimignano (Italy) -- History; Siena (Italy) -- History
prayers are not for these, nor for whoso deceives my city."
Such being the ideal basis of Siena's policy, we are now given a series
of her victories. On the opposite wall, painted by Simone in 1328, is a
mediaeval warrior, Guidoriccio, riding alone, fully armed save for the
head, his baton of command in his hand, his steed gorgeously
caparisoned. The face is an admirable piece of portraiture. Behind him
lie the camp of the Sienese and the captured castle from which the
banner of the Commune floats. On either hand are preparations for
storming the town in front; but he proudly rides forward alone, to
summon it to surrender. Guidoriccio dei Fogliani of Reggio was elected
Captain of War in Siena for six months in 1326, and afterwards confirmed
so many times in the office that he kept it for seven years. In 1328,
when the power of Castruccio degli Interminelli was at its height in
Tuscany, he led the Sienese against Montemassi (the town represented in
the fresco), repulsed the forces sent by Castruccio to its relief and
forced it to surrender. In 1329 he put down a formidable bread-riot in
the Campo, and in 1331 he won a great victory over the Pisans under the
walls of Massa, after which he had himself dubbed a knight on the field
of battle and returned to Siena in triumph. He died in 1352, and the
Commune gave him a sumptuous public funeral in San Domenico.
Two later battle-scenes are on the wall opposite the windows. First is
the great victory gained by the Sienese over the Company of the Cappello
in October 1363, at Torrita, in the Valdichiana. After a vain attempt to
come to terms, the Sienese hired four hundred German men-at-arms, and
took the field with the forces of the city and the contado under Ceccolo
degli Orsini, the Captain-General of the Commune. Before marching out of
Siena, the republican army was put under the protection of St Paul the
Apostle--apparently because the Christian name of the then Prior of the
Twelve was Paolo. Orders had been given not to risk a battle; but, as
soon as they came up with the enemy, the Germans set upon them, and the
Captain with the Sienese following, a complete victory was gained. On
the left of the fresco St Paul, with drawn sword, is seated at the gate
of Siena, surrounded by warrior Angels. We see the advancing host of the
Sienese, in front of which the splendid mercenary cavalry has already
burst upon the ranks of the Company and broken through them, while on
the right the rout is complete. The Sienese treated their prisoners
magnificently; they deprived Ceccolo of his command, for having
disobeyed their orders, but knighted him and heaped honours and presents
upon him. The Twelve gave a solemn banquet in the Palace to him and his
officers, presented him with a palfrey covered with silk, a sword of
honour, a suit of armour and a golden crown, with double pay to his
troops and household. A solemn Mass was celebrated in the Duomo, with
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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