The town of Ostuni, in 1664, was rendered remarkable by one of the
most deadly family feuds recorded, and an extraordinary duel, in
which every principle of honour was violated. The Count de Conversano,
called also Duke de le Noci, of the family of Aquaviva, and the Prince
of Francavilla, of that of Imperiali, were the two most powerful lords
in Lower Apulia: the former boasted of his ancient descent and his
numerous titles, and numbered among his predecessors a succession of
nobles, whose tyrannical and violent disposition had designated them
as a race dreaded by their inferiors, and hated by their equals. The
Prince of Francavilla was of Genoese extraction, but his family had
been settled in the kingdom from the time of Charles V, and he emulated
the count in pride, while he surpassed him in wealth. Their territories
joined, and the constant litigations arising out of their inordinate
and ill-timed jurisdictions were thereby superadded to the long lists
of mutual injuries recorded by both families. Their animosity broke
out at Naples, on some trifling occasion, when they were both in their
carriages; and, after a long contest of words, the Count de Conversano
challenged the Prince of Francavilla to decide their differences by
the sword: the latter declined this mode of combat as ill-suited to
his age and infirmities, but consented to a duel if the arms might
be exchanged for pistols. His antagonist, who was esteemed the best
swordsman in the kingdom, insisted on his first proposal, and excited
the prince to accede to it, by striking him repeatedly with the flat
of his sword. An insult so grossly offered in the public streets,
authorized the government to check the consequences likely to arise, by
ordering both parties to retire to their respective estates. A short
time after, the Prince of Francavilla, thirsting for a just revenge,
proposed a champion to espouse his cause in the person of his nephew,
the Duke de Martina, of the house of Caraccioli. This young man was
but just returned from his travels, and his education had not been
completed; it was therefore agreed, that a year should elapse previous
to the final settlement of the dispute, and the field of battle was
fixed at Ostuni, the jurisdiction of which had been previously claimed
and disputed by both noblemen. The eyes of the whole kingdom were
directed with anxious and fearful expectation towards this spot; but
the wishes of the majority were in favour of the Duke de Martina,
whose youth, accomplishments, and amiable disposition, called forth
the interest of all ranks. His uncle, actuated more by fear of the
shame attendant on defeat, than by feelings of affection for his
relative, endeavoured to ensure success by the following stratagem:--A
gentleman who had been for some time, as was the custom in those days,
a retainer in his family, left it abruptly one night, and repaired to
the Count de Conversano’s castle, into which he gained admission by a