LEFT Two details from an allegorical wall-painting by Ambroglio Lorenzetti (1338-39) representing ‘Good Government in the City'. ABOVE This section depicts the Militia of Siena BELOW Here the Guards of the Governing Council are represented. (In situ, Palazzo Pubblico, Siena)

whole area covering northern Italy, Southern France and the Iberian peninsula witnessed a flourishing of inilitary experimentation.

CHRONOLOGY

(Notę: Gh = Ghibelline ‘Imperial party’; Gu = Guelf ‘Papai party’)

1250

1259

1260 1263

1265-66

1268

BELOW LEFT A page from the mid-14th-century Veronese government regulations dealing with the distribution of crossbows to the militia of the Maggiore quarter. (Book VI of the Statutes of Cangrande, Ms.

3036, Biblioteca Civica, Verona)

BELOW RIGHT The Archangel reconciling enemies, on the lower part of the painting ‘The Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine’ by Barna da Siena, c. 1340. This would represent reconciliation between leaders of families involved in a wendetta. (Inv. 15, 1145, Sarah Wyman Whitman Fund Courtesy,

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)

1275

1278

1282

1282

1283

1287

1288

1289

1293

Death of Emperor Frederick II (Gh), collapse of Imperial power in Italy; appointment of the first Cnpitano del Popolo in Florence (Gu) marks offtcial entry of militia into politics. Este family (Gu) takes control of Ferrara as signori.

Siena (Gh) defeats Florence (Gu) at Montaperti.

Mastino della Scala becomes Podesta of Verona; Della Scala family (Gh) retains control of Verona as signori until 1387. Charles of Anjou (Gu), invited to Italy by Pope Clement IV to evict German Imperial forces from Italy, defeats King Manfred (Gh) at Benevento.

Charles of Anjou (Gu) defeats and executes King Manfred (Gh) at Tagliacozza, and becomes King of Naples and Sicily.

Guido Not ello (Gh) defeats Guelf fotce near Faenza. Consolidation of Papai authority in the Marches. Membership of the Chief Magistracy of Florence is confined to members of the Arii (trade guilds).

Sicilian Yespers uprising in Sicily against Angevin-French of Naples; Peter III of Aragon is im ited to rule.

Crusade proclaimed against Aragonese domination of Sicily.

Government of Siena reorganised uncler the Noveschi (the Ninę)

Este family (Gu) take control of Modena as signori. Florence defeats Arezzo at Battle of Campaldino. Appointment of the First Gonfaloniere di Giustizia to maintain order in Florence; guilds take responsibility for eąuipment of militia in Padua.