affair of Volterra took place, being encamped with his people at
Fucecchio, the commissaries availed themselves both of himself and his
forces. Some thought that while Rinaldo conducted the expedition along
with him, he persuaded him, under one pretext or another, to attack
the Lucchese, assuring him, that if he did so, the Florentines would
consent to undertake an expedition against them, and would appoint him
to the command. When Volterra was recovered, and Niccolo returned to
his quarters at Fucecchio, he, either at the persuasion of Rinaldo, or
of his own accord, in November, 1429, took possession of Ruoti and
Compito, castles belonging to the Lucchese, with three hundred cavalry
and as many infantry, and then descending into the plain, plundered
the inhabitants to a vast amount. The news of this incursion having
reached Florence, persons of all classes were seen gathered in parties
throughout the city discussing the matter, and nearly all were in
favor of an expedition against Lucca. Of the Grandees thus disposed,
were the Medici and their party, and with them also Rinaldo, either
because he thought the enterprise beneficial to the republic, or
induced by his own ambition and the expectation of being appointed to
the command. Niccolo da Uzzano and his party were opposed to the war.
It seems hardly credible that such contrary opinions should prevail,
though at different times, in the same men and the same city, upon the
subject of war; for the same citizens and people that, during the ten
years of peace had incessantly blamed the war undertaken against Duke
Filippo, in defense of liberty, now, after so much expense and
trouble, with their utmost energy, insisted on hostilities against
Lucca, which, if successful, would deprive that city of her liberty;
while those who had been in favor of a war with the duke, were opposed
to the present; so much more ready are the multitude to covet the
possessions of others than to preserve their own, and so much more
easily are they led by the hope of acquisition than by the fear of
loss. The suggestions of the latter appear incredible till they are
verified; and the pleasing anticipations of the former are cherished
as facts, even while the advantages are very problematical, or at
best, remote. The people of Florence were inspired with hope, by the
acquisitions which Niccolo Fortebraccio had made, and by letters
received from their rectors in the vicinity of Lucca; for their
deputies at Vico and Pescia had written, that if permission were given
to them to receive the castles that offered to surrender, the whole
country of Lucca would very soon be obtained. It must, however, be
added, that an ambassador was sent by the governor of Lucca to
Florence, to complain of the attack made by Niccolo, and to entreat
that the Signory would not make war against a neighbor, and a city
that had always been friendly to them. The ambassador was Jacopo
Viviani, who, a short time previously, had been imprisoned by Pagolo
Guinigi, governor of Lucca, for having conspired against him. Although
he had been found guilty, his life was spared, and as Pagolo thought
the forgiveness mutual, he reposed confidence in him. Jacopo, more
mindful of the danger he had incurred than of the lenity exercised
toward him, on his arrival in Florence secretly instigated the
citizens to hostilities; and these instigations, added to other hopes,
induced the Signory to call the Council together, at which 498
citizens assembled, before whom the principal men of the city
discussed the question.
Among the first who addressed the assembly in favor of the expedition,
was Rinaldo. He pointed out the advantage that would accrue from the
acquisition, and justified the enterprise from its being left open to
them by the Venetians and the duke, and that as the pope was engaged
in the affairs of Naples, he could not interfere. He then remarked
upon the facility of the expedition, showing that Lucca, being now in
bondage to one of her own citizens, had lost her natural vigor and
former anxiety for the preservation of her liberty, and would either
be surrendered to them by the people in order to expel the tyrant, or
by the tyrant for fear of the people. He recalled the remembrance of
the injuries done to the republic by the governor of Lucca; his
malevolent disposition toward them; and their embarrassing situation
with regard to him, if the pope or the duke were to make war upon
them; and concluded that no enterprise was ever undertaken by the
people of Florence with such perfect facility, more positive
advantage, or greater justice in its favor.
In a reply to this, Niccolo da Uzzano stated that the city of Florence
never entered on a more unjust or more dangerous project, or one more
pregnant with evil, than this. In the first place they were going to
attack a Guelphic city, that had always been friendly to the
Florentine people, and had frequently, at great hazard, received the
Guelphs into her bosom when they were expelled from their own country.
That in the history of the past there was not an instance, while Lucca
was free, of her having done an injury to the Florentines; and that if
they had been injured by her enslavers, as formerly by Castruccio, and
now by the present governor, the fault was not in the city, but in her
tyrant. That if they could assail the latter without detriment to the
people, he should have less scruple, but as this was impossible, he
could not consent that a city which had been friendly to Florence
should be plundered of her wealth. However, as it was usual at present
to pay little or no regard either to equity or injustice, he would
consider the matter solely with reference to the advantage of
Florence. He thought that what could not easily be attended by
pernicious consequences might be esteemed useful, but he could not
imagine how an enterprise should be called advantageous in which the
evils were certain and the utility doubtful. The certain evils were
the expenses with which it would be attended; and these, he foresaw,
would be sufficiently great to alarm even a people that had long been
in repose, much more one wearied, as they were, by a tedious and
expensive war. The advantage that might be gained was the acquisition
of Lucca, which he acknowledged to be great; but the hazards were so
enormous and immeasurable, as in his opinion to render the conquest
quite impossible. He could not induce himself to believe that the
Venetians, or Filippo, would willingly allow them to make the
acquisition; for the former only consented in appearance, in order to
avoid the semblance of ingratitude, having so lately, with Florentine
money, acquired such an extent of dominion. That as regarded the duke,
it would greatly gratify him to see them involved in new wars and
expenses; for, being exhausted and defeated on all sides, he might
again assail them; and that if, after having undertaken it, their
enterprise against Lucca were to prove successful, and offer them the
fullest hope of victory,
the duke would not want an opportunity of
frustrating their labors, either by assisting the Lucchese secretly
with money, or by apparently disbanding his own troops, and then
sending them, as if they were soldiers of fortune, to their relief. He
therefore advised that they should give up the idea, and behave toward
the tyrant in such a way as to create him as many enemies as possible;
for there was no better method of reducing Lucca than to let them live
under the tyrant, oppressed and exhausted by him; for, if prudently
managed, that city would soon get into such a condition that he could
not retain it, and being ignorant or unable to govern itself, it must
of necessity fall into their power. But he saw that his discourse did
not please them, and that his words were unheeded; he would, however,
predict this to them, that they were about to commence a war in which
they would expend vast sums, incur great domestic dangers, and instead
of becoming masters of Lucca, they would deliver her from her tyrant,
and of a friendly city, feeble and oppressed, they would make one free
and hostile, and that in time she would become an obstacle to the
greatness of their own republic.
The question having been debated on both sides, they proceeded to
vote, as usual, and of the citizens present only ninety-eight were
against the enterprise. Thus determined in favor of war, they
appointed a Council of Ten for its management, and hired forces, both
horse and foot. Astorre Gianni and Rinaldo degli Albizzi were
appointed commissaries, and Niccolo Fortebraccio, on agreeing to give
up to the Florentines the places he had taken, was engaged to conduct
the enterprise as their captain. The commissaries having arrived with
the army in the country of the Lucchese, divided their forces; one
part of which, under Astorre, extended itself along the plain, toward
Camaiore and Pietrasanta, while Rinaldo, with the other division, took
the direction of the hills, presuming that when the citizens found
themselves deprived of the surrounding country, they would easily
submit. The proceedings of the commissaries were unfortunate, not that
they failed to occupy many places, but from the complaints made
against them of mismanaging the operations of the war; and Astorre
Gianni had certainly given very sufficient cause for the charges
against him.
There is a fertile and populous valley near Pietrasanta, called
Seravezza, whose inhabitants, on learning the arrival of the
commissary, presented themselves before him and begged he would
receive them as faithful subjects of the Florentine republic. Astorre
pretended to accept their proposal, but immediately ordered his forces
to take possession of all the passes and strong positions of the
valley, assembled the men in the principal church, took them all
prisoners, and then caused his people to plunder and destroy the whole
country, with the greatest avarice and cruelty, making no distinction
in favor of consecrated places, and violating the women, both married
and single. These things being known in Florence, displeased not only
the magistracy, but the whole city.
CHAPTER V
The inhabitants of Seravezza appeal to the Signory--Complaints
against Rinaldo degli Albizzi--The commissaries changed--Filippo
Brunelleschi proposes to submerge the country about Lucca--Pagolo
Guinigi asks assistance of the duke of Milan--The duke sends
Francesco Sforza--Pagolo Guinigi expelled--The Florentines routed
by the forces of the duke--The acquisitions of the Lucchese after
the victory--Conclusion of the war.
A few of the inhabitants of the valley of Seravezza, having escaped
the hands of the commissary, came to Florence and acquainted every one
in the streets with their miserable situation; and by the advice of
those who, either through indignation at his wickedness or from being
of the opposite party, wished to punish the commissary, they went to
the Council of Ten, and requested an audience. This being granted, one
of them spoke to the following effect: "We feel assured, magnificent
lords, that we shall find credit and compassion from the Signory, when
you learn how your commissary has taken possession of our country, and
in what manner he has treated us. Our valley, as the memorials of your
ancient houses abundantly testify, was always Guelphic, and has often
proved a secure retreat to your citizens when persecuted by the
Ghibellines. Our forefathers, and ourselves too, have always revered
the name of this noble republic as the leader and head of their party.
While the Lucchese were Guelphs we willingly submitted to their
government; but when enslaved by the tyrant, who forsook his old
friends to join the Ghibelline faction, we have obeyed him more
through force than good will. And God knows how often we have prayed,
that we might have an opportunity of showing our attachment to our
ancient party. But how blind are mankind in their wishes! That which
we desired for our safety has proved our destruction. As soon as we
learned that your ensigns were approaching, we hastened to meet your
commissary, not as an enemy, but as the representative of our ancient
lords; placed our valley, our persons, and our fortunes in his hands,
and commended them to his good faith, believing him to possess the
soul, if not of a Florentine, at least of a man. Your lordships will
forgive us; for, unable to support his cruelties, we are compelled to
speak. Your commissary has nothing of the man but the shape, nor of a
Florentine but the name; a more deadly pest, a more savage beast, a
more horrid monster never was imagined in the human mind; for, having
assembled us in our church under pretense of wishing to speak with us,
he made us prisoners. He then burned and destroyed the whole valley,
carried off our property, ravaged every place, destroyed everything,
violated the women, dishonored the virgins, and dragging them from the
arms of their mothers, gave them up to the brutality of his soldiery.
If by any injury to the Florentine people we merited such treatment,
or if he had vanquished us armed in our defense, we should have less
reason for complaint; we should have accused ourselves, and thought
that either our mismanagement or our arrogance had deservedly brought
the calamity upon us; but after having freely presented ourselves to
him unarmed, to be robbed and plundered with such unfeeling barbarity,
is more than we can bear. And though we might have filled Lombardy
with complaints and charges against this city, and spread the story of
our misfortunes over the whole of Italy, we did not wish to slander so
just and pious a republic, with the baseness and perfidy of one wicked
citizen, whose cruelty and avarice, had we known them before our ruin
was complete, we should have endeavored to satiate (though indeed they
are insatiable), and with one-half of our property have saved the
rest. But the opportunity is past; we are compelled to have recourse
to you, and beg that you will succor the distress
es of your subjects,
that others may not be deterred by our example from submitting
themselves to your authority. And if our extreme distress cannot
prevail with you to assist us, be induced, by your fear of the wrath
of God, who has seen his temple plundered and burned, and his people
betrayed in his bosom." Having said this they threw themselves on the
ground, crying aloud, and praying that their property and their
country might be restored to them; and that if the Signory could not
give them back their honor, they would, at least, restore husbands to
their wives, and children to their fathers. The atrocity of the affair
having already been made known, and now by the living words of the
sufferers presented before them, excited the compassion of the
magistracy. They ordered the immediate return of Astorre, who being
tried, was found guilty, and admonished. They sought the goods of the
inhabitants of Seravezza; all that could be recovered was restored to
them, and as time and circumstance gave opportunity, they were
compensated for the rest.
Complaints were made against Rinaldo degli Albizzi, that he carried on
the war, not for the advantage of the Florentine people, but his own
private emolument; that as soon as he was appointed commissary, he
lost all desire to take Lucca, for it was sufficient for him to
plunder the country, fill his estates with cattle, and his house with
booty; and, not content with what his own satellites took, he
purchased that of the soldiery, so that instead of a commissary he
became a merchant. These calumnies coming to his ears, disturbed the
temper of this proud but upright man, more than quite became his
dignity. He was so exasperated against the citizens and magistracy,
that without waiting for or asking permission, he returned to
Florence, and, presenting himself before the Council of Ten, he said
that he well knew how difficult and dangerous a thing it was to serve
an unruly people and a divided city, for the one listens to every
report, the other pursues improper measures; they neglect to reward
good conduct, and heap censure upon whatever appears doubtful; so that
victory wins no applause, error is accused by all, and if vanquished,
universal condemnation is incurred; from one's own party through envy,
and from enemies through hatred, persecution results. He confessed
that the baseness of the present calumnies had conquered his patience
and changed the temper of his mind; but he would say, he had never,
for fear of a false accusation, avoided doing what appeared to him
beneficial to the city. However, he trusted the magistrates would in
future be more ready to defend their fellow-citizens, so that the
latter might continue anxious to effect the prosperity of their
country; that as it was not customary at Florence to award triumphs
for success, they ought at least to be protected from calumny; and
that being citizens themselves, and at any moment liable to false
accusations, they might easily conceive how painful it is to an
upright mind to be oppressed with slander. The Ten endeavored, as well
as circumstances would admit, to soothe the acerbity of his feelings,
and confided the care of the expedition to Neri di Gino and Alamanno
Salviati, who, instead of overrunning the country, advanced near to
Lucca. As the weather had become extremely cold, the forces
established themselves at Campannole, which seemed to the commissaries
waste of time; and wishing to draw nearer the place, the soldiery
refused to comply, although the Ten had insisted they should pitch
their camp before the city, and would not hear of any excuse.
At that time there lived at Florence, a very distinguished architect,
named Filippo di Ser Brunelleschi, of whose works our city is full,
and whose merit was so extraordinary, that after his death his statue
in marble was erected in the principal church, with an inscription
underneath, which still bears testimony to those who read it, of his
History of Florence and of the Affairs of Italy Page 25
