📷Firenze
The Story of Buondelmonte and the Beginning of the Guelphs and Ghibellines in Florence
In 1215, a deed was enacted that poets and chroniclers have seen as a turning point in the history of Florence.
Buondelmonte dei Buondelmonti, described by Villani as "a right winsome and comely knight", had pledged himself, for political reasons, to marry a maiden of the Amidei family—the kinsmen of the proud Uberti and Fifanti.
However, at the instigation of Gualdrada Donati, he deserted his betrothed and married Gualdrada's own daughter, a girl of great beauty.
The Council of Vengeance
The nobles of the deserted girl's kindred held a council to decide what vengeance to take. At this meeting, Mosca dei Lamberti spoke the fateful words:
"Cosa fatta, capo ha"
Meaning that he should be slain—and so it was done.
The Murder of Buondelmonte
On Easter Sunday, the Amidei and their associates gathered after hearing mass in San Stefano, at a palace of the Amidei located on the Lungarno, at the opening of the present Via Por Santa Maria.
They watched young Buondelmonte coming from Oltrarno, riding over the Ponte Vecchio,
"dressed nobly in a new robe all white and on a white palfrey, crowned with a garland,"
making his way towards the palaces of his kindred in Borgo Santissimi Apostoli.
As soon as he reached this side, at the foot of the pillar with the statue of Mars, they rushed out upon him:
- Schiatta degli Uberti struck him from his horse with a mace.
- Mosca dei Lamberti, Lambertuccio degli Amidei, Oderigo Fifanti, and one of the Gangalandi stabbed him to death with their daggers at the foot of the statue.
Villani writes:
"Verily it is shown that the enemy of human nature, by reason of the sins of the Florentines, had power in this idol of Mars, which the pagan Florentines adored of old; for at the foot of his figure this murder was committed, whence such great evil followed to the city of Florence."
The Aftermath
The body was placed upon a bier, and with the young bride supporting the dead head of her bridegroom, it was carried through the streets to urge the people to vengeance.
- Led by the Uberti: the older and more aristocratic families took up the cause of the Amidei.
- The burghers and democratically inclined nobles supported the Buondelmonti.
From this, the chronicler dates the beginning of the Guelphs and Ghibellines in Florence.
Reflection
This episode is not just a tale of love and vengeance, but also a political and social turning point that shaped the history of Florence for centuries.
| Category | #italy |
| Photo taken at | Florence - Italy |
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Hello @marcoteixeira This is a fascinating piece of Florentine history . The story of Buondelmonte really shows how a single personal decision breaking a marriage promise could ignite such a huge political divide. The description of the murder near the statue of Mars is powerful and symbolic, almost as if destiny itself was tied to that place. It’s striking to see how family honor, revenge, and politics were so deeply connected, eventually shaping centuries of conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. History like this reminds us how personal choices can influence entire societies. Thank you for sharing such a detailed and vivid account.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful message! 🙏 You captured perfectly how a single personal decision, like Buondelmonte’s broken marriage promise, could ripple out into something much larger and shape the destiny of Florence for centuries....thanks for stopping by :) I really appreciate the support :) Cheers :)