**The SIEGE of VILLA di CHIESA**
Thread about the beginning of the Catalan-Aragonese conquest of Sardinia and the strenuous resistance of the inhabitants
📸 Pisan medieval walls of Villa di Chiesa, modern day Iglesias
Thread about the beginning of the Catalan-Aragonese conquest of Sardinia and the strenuous resistance of the inhabitants
📸 Pisan medieval walls of Villa di Chiesa, modern day Iglesias
In 1297, the Pope Boniface VIII gave the Aragonese king, James II, the licentia invadendi of Sardinia and Corsica. The king could conquer the island(s) and declare himself king.
James II wasn't interested in Corsica but he prepared his expedition to Sardinia and, 20 years later-
James II wasn't interested in Corsica but he prepared his expedition to Sardinia and, 20 years later-
-in 1323, he charged his 24yo son, the Infante Alfonso, to lead the conquest. The heir to the throne left from Catalonia with wife and around 20000 men.
In the previous months and following weeks, several local Sardinian powers allied with the Aragonese Crown in hope of seeing-
In the previous months and following weeks, several local Sardinian powers allied with the Aragonese Crown in hope of seeing-
-their lands confirmed. The judike of Arborea, Ugone (father of the future judike Mariano), being also illegitimate child, became the first ally but effectively signing for vassalage. The independent town of Sassari sent his man; the Dorias and Malaspinas became allied too-
-(all of them at one point regretted that). The war was a conquest against the Pisan rule.
Villa di Chiesa was under Pisan rule, governed by the two Captains Vico of Rosselmini and Jacopo of Settimo. The town was rich with minerals and silver, and was actually a pain for the -
Villa di Chiesa was under Pisan rule, governed by the two Captains Vico of Rosselmini and Jacopo of Settimo. The town was rich with minerals and silver, and was actually a pain for the -
-judike.
When Alfonso arrived in Palma di Sulcis, he accepted the judike's idea of besieging Villa first and then attacking Calari. It was the worst idea for them 😂
The Infante's men arrived in Villa in late June and tried an attack on 28th.
📸 Somewhere near Palma di Sulcis
When Alfonso arrived in Palma di Sulcis, he accepted the judike's idea of besieging Villa first and then attacking Calari. It was the worst idea for them 😂
The Infante's men arrived in Villa in late June and tried an attack on 28th.
📸 Somewhere near Palma di Sulcis
They terribly failed, thanks to the 128 crossbowmen of Villa and the bad management of the attack.
In early July, the judike Ugone arrived in Villa and added his own men. They tried a second attack and failed again. Alfonso decided to go ahead with the siege without more battles
In early July, the judike Ugone arrived in Villa and added his own men. They tried a second attack and failed again. Alfonso decided to go ahead with the siege without more battles
Villa was surrounded by 5 camp sieges; the Infante stayed at the main one near the church of Valverde, on the road to Calari. That was also a bad idea. The ground was muddy and malaria reigned.
An epidemic exploded, killing half the men, all the Infanta's maids, and also Infante
An epidemic exploded, killing half the men, all the Infanta's maids, and also Infante
-and Infanta fell sick. Alfonso suffered fevers for all the time he stayed in Sardinia.
Meanwhile, the town was left without water. At some point the inhabitants had nothing to eat and started eating their own domestic pets, dogs included.
The siege went ahead for 7 months-
Meanwhile, the town was left without water. At some point the inhabitants had nothing to eat and started eating their own domestic pets, dogs included.
The siege went ahead for 7 months-
-an incredibly long time for standard sieges, but the inhabitants didn't surrender. The Captains still hoped for help from Pisa.
But in January 1324, they decided to treat. They asked for 40 more days to wait for the Pisan help, otherwise they would have surrendered.
But in January 1324, they decided to treat. They asked for 40 more days to wait for the Pisan help, otherwise they would have surrendered.
On February 14th, seven days before the end of the ultimatum, the inhabitants opened the gates to the Aragonese. They didn't have anything else to eat, not even for one more day.
The Infante entered in town as the winner but found only poverty. The soldiers were allowed to reach
The Infante entered in town as the winner but found only poverty. The soldiers were allowed to reach
-Calari to keep fighting for the Pisans, with the honour of the arms.
The Pisan help arrived some days later and clashed with the Aragonese army in the battle of Lutocisterna, the battle which led to the conquest of Calari.
Calari fell in a few weeks but remained unrestful-
The Pisan help arrived some days later and clashed with the Aragonese army in the battle of Lutocisterna, the battle which led to the conquest of Calari.
Calari fell in a few weeks but remained unrestful-
-for a couple of more years.
Many high Catalan-Aragonese nobility died in just those months and Villa resumed its silver work with new coins, the alfonsino.
Villa di Chiesa rebelled several times in the next years in favour of Arborea and Mariano/Eleonora 🌿
Many high Catalan-Aragonese nobility died in just those months and Villa resumed its silver work with new coins, the alfonsino.
Villa di Chiesa rebelled several times in the next years in favour of Arborea and Mariano/Eleonora 🌿
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