Z dziejów komun włoskich - zniszczenie i odbudowa Lodi w 1158 roku

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Z dziejów komun włoskich - zniszczenie i odbudowa Lodi w 1158 roku

Journal Title: Zeszyty Naukowe Akademii Sztuki Wojennej - Year 2010, Vol 2010, Issue 1

Abstract

The article aims at presenting the fall and reconstruction of the town of Lodi in Lombardy as a case study, revealing some principal characteristics of the microcosm of Italian communes in the 12"' century: internal factionalism and the struggle for emancipation from the imperial rule. Lodi, a little town of ancient origin, situated just 27 kilometres to the south east of Milan, was considered its potential rival in terms of commercial opportunities and thus from the beginnings of the if" century has undergone a series of attempts to be either subordinated or crashed by the mighty neighbour. The struggle for survival and prosperity was a part of a far greater conflict. According to one of the Middle Ages 'favourite myths and political visions it was the King of Germany and the Roman Emperor at the same time, who was supposed to be the master of all of northern Italy. It was up to the current king and emperor and his political strength to what extent his ambitions and rights were respected by the wealthy and proud Italian communal towns. Frederick Barbarossa, having become king in 1152, was widely known to be anxious to restore his real power and authority in the entire realm. Thus, some citizens of Lodi present at the royal court in Germany, did not waste the opportunity to declare themselves as most faithful subjects and to denounce the aggressive actions of the Milanese against their home town. This act had a wide range of consequences. Willing to punish and humiliate the rebellious subjects anyway, Frederick obviously sided with Lodi and addressed Milan with a message, urging them to respect the rights of their neighbours and announcing an investigation upon his own arrival to Italy. Terrorized and furious at the same time, the ruling classes of Milan decided to prepare for the general confrontation by dealing with the king's supporters at home. The town of Lodi was occupied, pillaged and destroyed with the inhabitants forced to leave. Even though the king and future emperor was unable to protect his followers at once, he arrived shortly after, besieged and humiliated Milan and ordered the town of Lodi to be rebuilt as a symbol of his own generosity and power. Strangely enough, just a few years later Barbarossa had to face a coalition of Italian towns again in the battle ofLegnano (1176) with Lodi fighting on the side of the Lombard League.

Authors and Affiliations

Piotr Podemski

Keywords

Włochy Rzym

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EP ID EP72341
DOI -
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