The Guelph Court of the Siena Republic

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The Court of Glorious
County Siena

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Ruling: Duke Gerardino da Lucari
Region: Siena
Religion: Catholic - Loyal to Rome
Culture: Italian
Provinces: 1
Ports: 0
Owned: Siena(5).
+1 Technology, -2 Morale Mercenary, Non-feudal State​

"La Poblani Governa in Nome del Madonna ~ The People Govern in the Name of the Virgin"​

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The Magnificent City of Siena

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Siena’s origins are surrounded by myth: the story goes that the city was founded by Senius, the son of Romulus. Historical statements attribute the first human settlement in this area to the Etruscans, who gave the name Sena to the settlement. After it was conquered by the Roman Empire, the place took on the name of Saena Julia.
What we can say for certain is that the Romans founded a town called Saenna Julia on the site of a pre-existing Etruscan settlement, and from this has grown modern Siena. Siena may then have been under the control of invading Gaulish forces – who are known to have sacked Rome in 390 BC. Some archaeologists assert it was controlled for a period by a Gaulish tribe called the Saenones.

The Roman origin accounts for the town’s emblem – a she-wolf suckling the infants’ Romulus and Remus. According to legend, Siena was founded by Senius, son of Remus, who was in turn the brother of Romulus, after whom Rome was named. Statues and other artwork depicting a she-wolf suckling the young twins Romulus and Remus can be seen all over the city of Siena.

Siena did not prosper under Roman rule. It was not sited near any major roads and therefore missed out on the resulting opportunities for trade. Its insular status meant that Christianity did not penetrate until the Fourth Century AD, and it was not until the Lombards invaded Siena and the surrounding territory that it knew prosperity. Their occupation and the fact that the old Roman roads of Aurelia and the Cassia passed through areas exposed to Byzantine raids, caused the roads between the Lombards Northern possessions and Rome to be re-routed through Siena. The inevitable consequence of this was that Siena prospered as a trading post, and the constant streams of pilgrims passing to and from Rome were to prove a valuable source of income in the centuries to come.

In the Middle Ages, Siena became an extremely important town, due to its intense demographic growth and the urban expansion of the town. Economic development brought wealth and bitter conflicts. The worst was the one between the Papal supporters (Guelphs) and the Empire supporters (the Ghibellines) After facing a series of internal struggles, Siena which sided with the Ghibellines fought against nearby Florence, which declared itself a supporter of the Guelphs. The tension grew worse and in 1260 a true war began that culminated into war later.

The oldest aristocratic families in Siena date their line to the Lombards surrender in 774 to Charlemagne. At this point the city was inundated with a swarm of Frankish overseers who married into the existing Sienese nobility, and left a legacy that can be seen in the abbeys they founded throughout Sienese territory. Feudal power waned however, and by the death of Countess Matilda in 1115 the Mark of Tuscia which had been under the control of her family – the Canossa – broke up into several autonomous regions.

Siena prospered under the new arrangements, becoming a major centre of money lending and an important player in the wool trade. It was governed at first directly by its Bishop, but episcopal power declined during the 1100s. The bishop was forced to concede a greater say in the running of the city to the nobility in exchange for their help during a territorial dispute with Arezzo, and this started a process which culminated in 1167 when the commune of Siena declared its independence from episcopal control. By 1179, it had a written constitution.

This period was also crucial in shaping the Siena we know today. It was during the 1100s that the majority of the construction of the Duomo, Siena’s cathederal, was completed. It was also during this period that the Piazza del Campo, now regarded as one of the most beautiful civic spaces in Europe, grew in importance as the centre of secular life. New streets were constructed leading to it and it served as the site of the market, and the location of many sporting events (perhaps better thought of as riots, in the fashion of the Florentine football matches that are still practised to this day). A wall was constructed in 1194 at the current site of the Palazzo Pubblico to stop soil erosion, an indication of how important the area was becoming as a civic space.

In the early 12th century, when a self-governing commune replaced the earlier aristocratic government. The consuls who governed the republic slowly became more inclusive of the poblani, or common people, and the Commune increased its territory as the surrounding feudal nobles in their fortified castles submitted to the urban power. Siena's republic, struggling internally between nobles and the popular party, usually worked in political opposition to its great rival, Florence, and was in the 13th century predominantly Ghibelline in opposition to Florence's Guelph position (the backdrop for Dante's Commedia).

On September 4, 1260 The Sieneses Ghibellines, supported by the forces of King Manfred of Sicily, defeated the Florentine Guelphs at Montaperti. The Sienese faced an overwhelming Florentine army. Prior to the battle, the entire city was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and entrusted to her possession – something which has been renewed several times since, most recently in 1944 to guard the city from the threat of Allied bombs. The man given command of Siena for the duration of the war, Bonaguida Lucari walked barefoot and bareheaded, a halter around his neck, to the Duomo. Leading a procession composed of all the city’s residents, he was met by all the clergy. Lucari and the Bishop embraced, to show the unity of church and state, then Luceri formally gave the city and contaldo to the Virgin. Legend has it that a thick white cloud descended on the battlefield, giving the Sienese cover and aiding their attack. They inflicted a crushing defeat and massacred the forces of their enemy, so crushing was the defeat that even today if the two cities meet in any sporting event, the Sienese supporters are likely to exhort their Florentine counterparts to “Remember Montaperti!”.

Siena's university, founded in 1203 and famed for its faculties of law and medicine, is still among the most important Italian universities. Siena rivalled Florence in the arts through the 13th and 14th centuries: the important late medieval painter Duccio (1253–1319) was a Senese but worked across the peninsula, and the mural of "Good Government" by Ambrogio Lorenzetti in the Palazzo Pubblico, or town hall, is a magnificent example of late-Medieval/early Renaissance art as well as a representation of the utopia of urban society as conceived during that period.

Siena was devastated by the Black Plague of 1348 and began to recover to it's earlier glory.

As new Republics of various communes and burgers across the city began to rise and fall, it was a local noble, Lord Gerardino da Lucari of Cortona who took the city by force of arms, and began to rule it as a dynastic Count, in the name of the Holy Father and Church.​

 

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Dramatis Personae

Gerardino da Lucari b. 1362, Sorbello Castle - Duke of Siena and Count of Cortona
Gerardino da Lucari was a minor noble on the east borders of the corrupt and disputable Siena Republic. A capable young man with a gruff stubborness for anything that does not go his way, he had in his youth inherited a small fiefdom from his father, the Lordship of Cortona and Sorbello Castle. A descendant of one Lucari who lead the Ghibellines in Siena to freedom, his family prospered with minor wealth, although he was an only child, and his parents, soon victims of the Black Plague.
Spending much of his young life learning of history and faith, his life was brutally interrupted when the Siena Republic's wars had brought ruin to his own lands, and his fiefdom was siezed during a time of turmoil, and the young lord at fifteen was exiled. After spending a few years in Italian mercenary troupes and rising to gain much respect among his warrior peers, he soon returned home and regained his estates, and within a year he had made contact with old friends and prepared his own machnations - he had learned of great turmoil within Siena's Republic, and he himself would once again deliver them from such. Declaring himself "Count of Siena", he has taken the city in the name of the Church and to install the rule of God's design, the feudal way. After writing the pope in 1383 after his seizing of Siena, promising Rome it's loyalties, Pope Urban VI bestowed upon him the title of 'Duke of Siena' and raised Cortona to a County, therefore making Gerardino a Count as well. He not works to place Sienese, and therefore overall Church power over the Republics of central Italy.

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Diplomacy
of the Realm

Loyalties:

~ To the Pope in Rome


Friendly Relations:

~ Kingdom of Naples

~ Duchy of Milan

~ Lordship of Ferrara

~ Duchy of Mantua


Indifferent Relations:

~ Duchy of Savoy

~ City of Venice

~ City of Genoa

~ Realm of Sicily


Hostile Relations:

~ Republic of Pisa

~ Republic of Firenze

Foreign Ambassadors to Siena:​

~ None at the moment​

 

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The Soldiers and Arms
of the Region

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Siena, being located within central Italy is in the center of military advancement, as across the land inventive and new ways of war are being thought of. The armies of the Duke of Siena are indeed mercenary and locally recruited in nature, although the various soldiers recruited across the land represent many different fields of war, and different natures of battle.

The Cavaliers and Knights
A modern heavy rider with the influences of the early Normans, the common Italian knight was the among best-trained and best-equipped soldier in Europe. Usually only the son of a lord or a knight could train to become one. Their training began when boys were about seven years old. Every boy who wanted to become a knight had to go to live in another lord's house where he would become a page. He would wait on the lord and his lady, serve them at meal-times and learn knightly behaviour and good manners. He would also learn how to ride like a knight and fight like a knight. He would learn how to use a bow and arrow and practise swordplay with a wooden sword. Knightly good behaviour was called chivalry and that meant treating people courteously, particularly women. When he was about fourteen years old, he would be apprenticed to a knight. He was called a squire and he would ride into the battlefield with his master. If all went well he would become a knight at the age of twenty one. Armour helped to protect a knight and his horse from the enemy's weapons. A knight's horse was about the same size as a showjumper and was just as nimble. Armour was made to fit each knight individually. All the different processes were carried out by specialists to prepare these cavalry armours - hammerers, mailmakers, polishers, locksmiths, engravers and etchers.
Mercenaries of this nature do not usually confer the knightly ceremonies, although they fight and are armed in similar manner.

The Crossbowmen
The crossbow played an important role in the late wars in Italy. The crossbow was an innovative but deadly weapon, and was really the first hand-held weapon that could be used by an untrained soldier to injure or kill a knight in plate armour. The most powerful crossbows could penetrate armour and kill at 200 yards. Crossbows do, of course, come with a price. That price is in efficiency and in the firing rate. Efficiency is a more technical problem. No bow is perfectly efficient, but Medieval crossbows were particularly inefficient. The reason for this is that the draw length and the lathe (also called a prod) of crossbows are short. So even though a crossbow may have a great deal of stored energy when spanned, the tips of the lathe do not have enough time to reach the maximum velocity, so the amount of stored energy is not transferred fully to the bolt. It is the lathe tip velocity that determines the speed of the bolt that is loosed. All in all the crossbowmen of Italy and indeed a deadly force to be reckoned with..

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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Claims of the
Duke of Siena

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Rightful Lands of the Duke:

~ Firenze and Tuscany
~ Pisa

As Overlord of all Tuscany, a right granted to the Duke by the Holy Father of the Universal Church, Duke Gerardino holds rightful claim on two specific regions bordering his lands, Tuscany and Pisa, both of which have showed unforgiveable renouncement of the Imperial rule over them, but also of God's and his Church's taught way of life, the feudal way. The Duke means to eventually annex these states, as truly it is naturally the property of the Dukedom of Siena, recognized by the Vicar of Christ, and shall in the end be placed under the rightful vassaldom under the Church, as is the Duke's plan.



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A Recent History
of the Land

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The Collapse of the Popular Republic ~ 1382-1383 AD
Since the end of the XVIII century, the city of Siena had fallen into corrupt communes ruling a decadent Republic over the region, bitterly locked in competition with Florence. After border and trade disputes arose and lasted in length, the guilds of the city withdrew their support one by one from the popular ruling regime of Siena, thus creating a rivalry that lead to poverty and chaos, coupled with the arrival of the Black Plague. Soon the Sienese Republic collapsed.

The Seizing of the Lord ~ 1383 AD
After aggrivations from the Republic troubled many of the feudal lords bordering Siena, one Lord Gerardino da Lucari of Cortona and a band of recruited men and mercenaries loyal to his banner marched into Siena, and took the city by coup and surprise, capturing the aristocratic Republic government in the Pallazo di Pubblico, declaring the land to be delivered into the rule God had meant for man and into the sovereignty of himself under the Church of Rome. Lord Gerardo also declared himself Count of the land, and changed Siena's rule into a feudal state. After declaring his support for the Pope in Rome, the Papacy named him Duke of Siena, and Count or Cortona, and gave him rights over all of Tuscany.

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Current Ambitions
and Workings of the Duke

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~ To ensure the Duchy of Siena and it's ruler are fully recognized by all Imperial states and lords

~ To convert all of Siena and it's regional cities and rural lands into a fully recognizeable feudal state

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Reserve post​

last one?
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Court Open for posting​

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A Story Begins:
The Storming of the Duomo

Outside Siena, Italy - Just Before Dawn...

The clouds in the sky flowed elegantly as the wind pressed hard upon them. Below, low on the ground, the wind was warm, but almost violent as it swarmed through the armed men's hair and faces. Flags with lions on them, like that traditional of Siena, few among the capes and banners of this armed flock.

The green pastures and farms in the regions were not so fertile this year - there hadbeen a drought. The man looking over from, from a nearbye wooded hill not even a quarter of a mile away could easily see that the fields did not seem to be producing much. They looked barren and unkempt. The countryside and rural areas were suffering as well.
Since he and his followers had come from Cortona, they had seen few traders either. This was a Republic that had fallen into depression.

Nevermind that, the man in expensive armor thought, it was time to get things going.

Looking up at the stars and crossing himself in devotion, he spoke only a few words, "Lord in Heaven protect me." And with that he closed his eyes for a moment.

Turning around, he could see all his men, all had could gather from Cortona and his castle at Sorbello. Forty three in all, all in coaks.

Raising his arm, pointed in the direction of the city.

Lord Gerardo da Lucari of Cortona...​

"Go!"

And to himself, he muttered, and may St. John of the Cross watch over us.

The men began to jog forward, towards the city which they could see. The city gates had not been closed in years, and anyway, the Republic was not expecting such an assault in either case. The man leading these, whom had so carefully planned this entire assault was none other than Gerardino da Lucari, the Lord of Cortona, a feudal estate east of the tyranny of the Siena City Republic.

As they neared the entrance to the city, the men poured in. They knew where they were to go... Gerardo gave the order in a hoarse whisper, as the townspeople had not yet arisen. He knew that the people would not immediately see his men as a threat - they all wore Siena's arms, as he had arranged. It was a ploy. A trick to make taking the city even that much easier.
Along the old and weak city wall's battlements less than half a dozen men slowely patrolled, and drank, and cavorted with the local whores. Gerardo's men at arms followed him as he quietly drew his own long sword, and at once they sprung, stabbing the man hard in the gut as he slept. He was hardly awoken for long. Lord Gerardo ordered his men to finish off the rest of the wall guards, while he and his own men made their own endeavours.

And so, as the sun began to peak over the horizon, Lord Gerardo of Cortona and a handful of his best men stormed the Siena city barracks, where the Castillan of the city resided, the man in charge of it's defence.

Arriving with their weapons close and prepared at the door of the barracks building, as Lord Gerardo had insisted was near the Duomo, Lord Gerardo's largest follower, a brute, also of partly Norman lineage called Gian, kicked hard, swinging it open. The entire party rushed in, the Castillan placing his armour and equipment on, he hardly had a chance to shout or make a ruckus as three men pounced on him, sticking their sharp long daggers into his flesh wherever they could find an opening. As quickly as they came, the soldiers left the dead defender lying there.

The City's castillan, left lying dead in the Republic's barracks...​

It was only then that the Lord of Cortona Gerardo and his men began to move for their final destination.... the Duomo where the Republic's commune ruled from and stayed. These were fat aristocratic slobs, whom used every coin they could tax to their own luxuries, at the cost of the Republic, the city, and of all of the Siena region. Lord Gerardo's men, from the walls, raised his banner - it was the signal. The walls were now patrolled by Lord Gerardo's men.

Gathering the almost thirty men he had left now, Lord Gerardo and his men marched into the city's main square, the Piazza del Campo. Walking up to the Palazzo Pubblico, he could hear shouting and saw that many had begun to notice he and his men's presence now. He called and shouted forth, "Come forth, tyrants of this land of Siena, and face judgement!"

There he and his men waited, as a crowd began to appear in the city square.

The door's to the Palazzo Pubblico opened, and out stepped the guilty - the fat, finger licking plucked tyrants whom had spoilt the land, and once again let the Sienese Republic fall into decay.

Turning to the people, with his blade drawn Lord Gerardo shouted so all could hear around he and his men, the people of the Republic, "These men are to blame for your misery, yet you let them feed still! Is this truly God's wanting?! Is it?"

One of the city's councilors, a clergyman stepped forward, "We rule in the name of God for the people..."

Turning and approaching the man, Lord Gerardo grabbed his cloak, expensive at that, and threw him back onto the steps, thenafter raising his sharp longsword's edge to the tyrant's throat,

Lord Gerardino and the city Republicans...​

"No longer will you squander this land's riches, you hear!? No longer!"
The man's eyes widened as he leaned his head back, and shook his head after readily in agreement. Lord Gerardo cleared is throat, "Arrest them."

His men ran forth, and stormed the Duomo, taking down and seizing every member of the Siena City Republic authority that they could find, and throwing them into the town square, where they were to be chained together, to posts, for public humiliation the very next day. Meanwhile Lord Gerardo, after ensuring the Duomo was cleared, and the city truly was taken, stood on a high balcony of the Palazzo Pubblico so all could hear him.

Gerardino da Lucari, Signore di Cortona
'Conteggio di Siena'

"People of Siena, I am Lord Gerardino da Lucari, a descendant of that same Lucari who had delivered this city so long ago into the hands of the Republic. I have returned, from my lands at Cortona, seeing that these traitors -" He pointed to the arrested Republicans, "Have let you become poor and hungry, and fall into decay, I say no longer! I have come to liberate you from this, and you shall see that as the new Count of Siena, you shall be wealthier than ever before!"​

Siena's main city square...​

With his men in the public square, he did indeed recieve some sort of applause, although all present knew that it was a forced one, or even a nervous one.

The city had just been seized in a coup, and Lord Gerardo was the new, self proclaimed ruler.​

 

[Hawkeye1489]

Gubernatio Christi

URBANUS SEXTUS, EPISCOPUS, SERVUS SERVORIUM DEI, GUBERNATIO CHRISTI​

UNTO THE BELOVED GERARDO DA LUCARI, COUNT OF SIENA & LORD OF CORTONA​

It is with great pleasure that I transcribe this letter to you. For too long have the Children of God lived under the tyranny of the Republic. You have shed the burden from God's Children, and rid the new County of Siena from the Corrupt Republican Aristocrats whom were filled with the convictions of the Devil and his evil minions.

For your Great Faith, you will be rewarded in the Kingdom of God, but for your servitude and heroics, you will be rewarded in the Kingdom of Man. By Papal Decree, the County of Siena will be elevated to that of the Duchy of Siena, with the Count of Siena and Lord of Cortona being given said title. I will come, personally, to crown as such. Also, by Papal Order, the Republics of Pisa and Firenza will be converted to Duchies and combined with the Duchy of Siena, into the Kingdom of Tuscany.

I, as Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church and Sovereign of the States of the Church, do so humble accept your offer of vassalage and willupon assume the title of King of Tuscany. As one of God's greatest servents, you will become Overlord of Tuscany, and answerable only to me in the newest Secular Kingdom in Italia, Tuscany. This shall be effective immediatly, and if you encounter any resistance, be sure to put it down, in the Name of God. Go in Peace, and await my arrival, Gerardo, Overlord of Tuscany, Duke of Siena, Count of Cortona.

Signed in Rome, in this Year of Our Saving Lord, One Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty-Four, in the Sixth Year of His Most Glorious Pontificate.

 

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Recieving the letter from the Pope...

The New Duke of Siena

Within the Palazzo di Pubblico Gerardino da Lucari had finally found time to sit and relax, after taking care of measures of resistance throughout the Siena region to his rule, and ensuring that all of the city saw him as the true ruler now. No more of this filthy Republic rule. He thought.

Siena - an enfeebled city that had gone through several failed Republics...​

Still, he was in a shaky position. Truly he only ruled the city through a coup, and though a well organized one, the air of the people seemed stale. He would have to start making rule and improvements in the region if he was to win the hearts of Siena...

Gerardino da Lucari
Duca di Siena, Conteggio di Cortona​

Continuing to think of these things alone in a sunlit room, Gerardino was interrupted.
It was then that the emissary arrived, bearing Papal arms on his cloak. Lord Gerardino was most anxious as soon as he saw the man, standing and recieving the Pope's letter, the man turning without another look.

Carefully breaking the Papal Seal and opening the precious letter from the Pope, Lord Gerardino's eyes read over the letter.

It proclaimed him, in the eyes of the Church, and God, Duke of Siena and now Count of Cortona. He shivered. Days ago he was only a minor Lord, and now, he would be made Duke, and he would do his best to serve the Holy Church and be the Vicar of Chirst's right arm.
For a few moments Gerardino was overjoyed with this news. Finally, everything he was working for was coming together - perhaps it was God's design for him? Truly, the Pope himself seemed interested in what he wanted for Italy - the Church dominating the land, and in it's part the entirity of the Holy Roman Empire and all Christiandom, and Gerardino would be the Sword of the Church of Rome.

Yes, God's servant first. He thought.
He read further.
What more, the Pope proclaimed that he truly willed the same as Gerardino - for the Republics of Italy to be absorbed into Siena, and then finally, as vassal of the one true Church. It was Gerardino's true dream.

He would prepare a grand celebration for the Pope's coming to Siena, and he would think of what he might say to his Holiness, in private. He would do anything and everything he coould to make the Holy Father see that he was truly dedicated to the Church's cause.

And so Duke Gerardino immediately called for his faithful second in commander, Nicoleto Vespucci, and gave him a mission to the north - to the capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

Nicoleto Vespucci, Captain of the Soldiery​

Armed with letter and decree as well as weapons, Nicoleto left within hours, along with the Archbishop of Siena, both riding at a furious pace north.​

 

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The Warrior-Duke
and the Commune

As his new servants fumbled with his unkempt black rags of hair, Gerardino smiled to himself. He had not worn fancy clothese ever in his life - his father was a traditional Lord, and wore little other than padded leather, as he had, and for the later half of his life as so far he had always trodden within the garb of a warrior and mercenary. Yet now, there he was, in a fine outfit woven out of expensive cloths baring the Sienese arms, and he was being tidied up so he might look his part, that of a Duke.

In the last few weeks after the seizing of the city, Gerardino immediately sent out almost half of his men, on horseback from some of the city's stables, who then established his right and control over all of the Siena region. Serfs of the Republic were now serfs of the Duke, and laymen and workers subjects of the new Ducal rule. The members of the old Republic, the richest and highest members of Sienese society, were revoked their rights of judicial rule, and granted instead their former title, Commune of the City of Siena, a town council at most, with no control over the realm's diplomacy or technical rule.

Truly, Siena was being reverted back into a feudal system.

And so the new Duke decided that much administration was to be in order - yet when he made such announcement, his friends and Captains, loyal to him haughtily laughed that he had to look the part, and so the mercenary bathed, cleaned, had his hair cut and fasioned, and was dressed in the finest new Italian styles of clothing and garb. And so he entered the Commune's grand chambers within the Palazzo Pubblico, the heart of Siena, and was met with an air of silence.

One of his captains announced him, "Your sovereign ruler, the Duke!"

Duke Gerardino and the Siena City Commune​

A bit anxious, Duke Gerardino stepped into the palace's chambers to see his court - old men, young rich boys, clergymen and the richest of merchants, looking at him nervously themselves, perhaps even dissaprovingly.
Why shouldn't they...? You destroyed their rule... He thought to himself, but dared not change his expression. He walked into the center of the room, into view of all, and stood there.

One of the old men, a clergyman with a tidy grey beard stepped forth, "Your grace, while you now sit here as Duke of Siena, there has been little changes in the land since you first arrived. We are the city's Council, we might take it upon ourselves to ensure these needed administes are made to the realm. With no administration or -"

"And there shall be administration, your grace. Thanks to the old rule, the fields are unsown, and have fallen into decay and ruin, depravity one might say. Where was all Siena's riches being spent when this was happening, hm?
What would the Holy Father think when he comes to Siena, to properly crown me and this land to it's glorious titles, and saw such poverty?" He looked sharply at the richly dressed nobles, who offered no response at this allegation. There was murmuring however, many impressed that the Pope indeed was coming to Siena.

"The city will first finance the irrigation of these feels, for the purchase of cattle and swine, sheep and hen alike. The lands around the city shall become an Eden of nourishment to the people and city, and the wealth of Siena shall ensure it so.
Such is my decision... I leave it up to this Council, this Commune, to effectively discuss and conclude how this shall be done with financial ease, and with most effect."

A merchant stood, "What of the city's trade, which has ceased to almost a stop in the last decade?"

Gerardino turned to him, "I myself shall contact neighbouring states and distant lands, and others to trade with, to ensure our realm's wealth. I will sign agreements, and invite the merchants of other lands to once again come and go as they like, as as we do."

A young man dressed in pompous garb stood, "And what of the hill bandits and our neighbouring enemies then?"

"I and the men I commander will never let you fall into harm from common vile enemies, that is my pledge." The Duke nodded to the man.
And so as the morning became afternoon Gerardino spoke on with the city's commune, and began to make more and more decisions, reorganizing the city's taxes, properly preparing it's wall patrols, ensuring the entire Siena region was marked and known as a single County region to her neighbours...
And her neighbours were indeed something the Duke would have to think about.
And so the city's leaders, at first enraged by the seizing of Gerardino, began to see his aims - not just for himself, but for Siena. Still, they begrudgingly followed his orders.



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[Lord E]

A letter arrives from Rome

Unto Gerardino da Lucari Duke of Siena and Count of Cortona

Your Grace,
I write to Your Grace from Rome where I am currently situated, serving His Majesty the King as ambassador to the Roman Court, and also the rest of Italy.

Rumours have reached me of the troubles in Your Grace’s Duchy. I understand that Your Grace has just sized power from the former ruler of Siena, and now I understand that His Holiness have recognized Your Grace, if I am correct?
Not knowing too much about the situation, I would be honoured of Your Grace would like to inform me more about the recent events. Also it might seem like Your Grace could have the use of some of my other services if this situation goes to far…

I represent His Majesty the King of England and His Majesty have great interested in new markets in Italy, as well as allies in His Majesty’s struggle against the devil of Avignon and his worshipper mad Charles. We hope that Your Grace agree upon that no worshipper of the devil of Avignon can have the right to claim any sort of title.
England is always interested in new markets, and we would be interested in making agreements with Siena in the future, if Your Grace would be willing to agree to any such actions.

Once more His majesty King Richard the second of England extends his best wishes to the Duchy of Siena and its Duke, and we hope that all is well.

I hope to hear from Your Grace soon.


Written in Rome, in the year of Our Lord 1384 A.D

On behalf of His Majesty Richard the second, by the Grace of God King of England and France, Lord of Ireland and Aquitaine , Sovereign of the Order of the Garter


Sir John Hawkwood, commander of the White Company and ambassador to Rome.

 

[Hawkeye1489]

UNTO HIS GRACE, GERARDINO DA LUCARI, DUKE OF SIENA, COUNT OF CORTONA

Your Grace,
His Holiness, Urban VI, has requested this letter to be drafted to alert Your Grace, that His Holiness will be arriving in Siena in one weeks time. During His Holiness' stay, the Coronation of Your Grace will take place, and His Holiness will celebrate Mass beforehand. His Holiness looks forward to stay in Siena

In the Name of the Holy Father, Urbanus Sextus, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church,
Father Antony DiRosio, Chancillor of the Papal States

INDICIUM ROMAE, ANNO DOMINI MCCCLXXXIV, SEPTUMDECIM ANNUS SUUS GLORIFICUS PONTIFICATE

 

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Paving the Road
for the Crowning

Clergymen and Women of Siena Prepare
for a most Holy Visit...​

And so across Siena the clergy and the new Duke's governing body began to assume control of reorganizing the properties and controls of the local farmlands, which had fallen into much of the Republic's control as well as to private owners who used much of it for game or let it fallow. Now, it was all the property of the Duke of Siena.

Duke Gerardino di Lucari began to grant these lands to serfs, whom would farm them under the Duke as his vassals. The clergy supported him finally, after confirmation from the Pope in Rome of the legitimacy of the Duke's rule, and under his orders and their own endeavours began to encourage the people, and the Duke to prepare for the Pope's coming. Many peasants began to farm the lands surrounding the city, planting many different crops, and under ducal command expenses were put forth to build homes and granaries around the city, as well as the comission to build many wagons and purchase horses and oxen to plough the fields, and make them fertile.

A system of irrigation is planned for the fields
around the city of Siena​

A long pits are dug out, in and around the field by peasants, paid very cheaply to create a fully working irrigating system. The Duke knew this would aid the harvest, and put forth all of the city's incomes collected since his rise as Duke to the project, and to beautify the city in prepation of the coming of the Holy Father.

Meanwhile in the Palazzo Pubblico, the great city square of Siena a priest called Benevenuta Compelli, with writ orders from the Duke points and shouts orders,

More flowers here, more stream there or you will be engulfed in eternety with Hellfire! Clean that gutter you, or he will not be impressed! YOU there, do you think the Holy Father wants to see you in rags looking like scum?! Put a shirt on!

The Siense people are humbled as they prepare
for his Holiness the Pope's visit​

Yes indeed, the city was making grand preparations to be utterly beautified in the name of the Duke - to become a feudally ruled state, and for his Holiness to come and official Crown the Duke as Duke, Count, and Overlord of what would be the Duchy of Tuscany.





​

 

[Lord E]

A letter arrives from Rome

Unto Gerardino da Lucari Duke of Siena and Count of Cortona

Your Grace,
It honours me to hear that Your Grace is also a man of war, many rulers I have faced in Italy have been boring diplomats and talkers who can’t decide how to act. Therefore I have always preferred me of war to men that speaks. So I am glad to hear that Your Grace is a fellow man of war.

Allow me to offer my personal congratulations on your successful campaign. I am sure the talkers of Siena got what they deserved, and I am sorry I couldn’t be there to fight with you, I am afraid it has been too much talk and to little fighting for my part the last years.

I am glad to hear that you agree with both my views and the official views of England upon His Holiness. I have had the great honour of meeting His Holiness and speaking to His Holiness in person, and His Holiness truly is a great man! The devil of Avignon really is a great problem and I can only dream of the day when my men shall enter Avignon and remove this evilness from the earth!

As for you offer, I am very honoured, and I accept your offer. It shall be good to meet a fellow man of war. I shall make preparations to leave Rome as soon as possible and then I look forward to meeting your grace in Siena!

I am sure His Majesty will thank Your Grace for those kind words, I shall inform His majesty of the good news just before I depart Rome to go to Siena

Written in Rome, in the year of Our Lord 1384 A.D

On behalf of His Majesty Richard the second, by the Grace of God King of England and France, Lord of Ireland and Aquitaine , Sovereign of the Order of the Garter


Sir John Hawkwood, commander of the White Company and ambassador to Rome.

 

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The messenger who delivered the Duke's letter to Constantinople returns, with a reply from the Emperor.

Unto His Grace, Gerardindo da Lucari, Duke of Siena and Count of Cortona,

FROM

Roman Emperor John, Equal to the Apostles, Ruler of Time and of Space,​

Verily, Duke Gerardindo, I am pleased to recieve your letter in which you acknowledge my rights as the Roman Emperor. Such courtesy and sense is, I have found, not often encountered among Italians. Indeed, I am engaged in a struggle with the Turk, who spreads across these lands like the Great Mortality, devouring all in their path. However, unlike the pestilence, this plague can be countered and stopped by mere mortals, with the help of God.

However, my good Duke, you are quite mistaken. I personally acknowledge the Roman Patriarch and its rites, although I have taken no steps to force this upon my subjects. I am a practitioner of 'Romanism' as you are, and attend Latin mass daily. But yet, I also thank you for your desire to unite both Rome and New Rome against the barbarian hordes that even now subjugate good Christians, both Latin and Greek.

You write, Duke Gerardindo, of your desire to fight the Turk. I wish to offer you this chance. Even now, I am assembling a vast army to combat the Turk, and drive them from Europe. Our cousin, the King of Mallorca, has already pledged himself to doing so, as has the Dowager Queen of Hungary and the King of Sicily. You are known as a man of valor and action, and would prove a worthy addition to this grand army. I therefore invite you and your men to Constantinople, from where we shall set out to defeat the Turk and end their menace once and for all.

Perhaps, Duke Gerardindo, as you look eastward in pursuit of glory and honor, you could also look for a wife. I have four daughters, all young maidens with their virtue intact. If you were to fight under my banner, I would award you with a prize worthy of a prince.

-Emperor John

 

[Lord E]

Siena

Sir John Hanwkwood had travelled from Rome just after having received the invitations from the Duke, and now after the trip he had arrived in Siena. Standing just outside the city gates he looked down on the city, smiling. Sir John though the city looked like a busy typical Italian town, and he looked forward to take a closer look. Also the possibility to meeting a fellow man, shaped through the ways of the war made Sir John smile and have a very positive and happy face.
Entering into the city Sir John halts his horse and asks some guards patrolling the streets for the way to the ducal palace. After riding around the city for some time looking on the busy life Sir John arrives at what the guards told him should be where he should be able to find the Duke.
Riding up to the guards at the entrance he halts the horse.

”Excuse me sir. I am Sir John Hanwkwood and I have come to see the Duke, he should be expecting me, so would it be possible for you to take to the Duke?”