Preparing for War: Florence and Siena before Montaperti - S01E04

Описание: Join me as we explore how ambition, fear, and rivalry plunged mid-13th-century Tuscany into war, bringing Florence and Siena to the bloody fields of Montaperti.

In this episode, we’ll uncover the intense diplomatic manoeuvres, secret alliances, and dramatic events that set the stage for one of medieval Italy’s most infamous battles. Together, we'll examine the composition and strategies of Florentine and Sienese armies, revealing what medieval warfare really meant for ordinary citizens.

From secret plots to fierce skirmishes, follow the tragic spiral of violence and ambition that transformed the beautiful Tuscan landscape into a battlefield soaked in blood.


This episode is also available on Spotify, Acast, and all major podcast platforms. For enthusiasts, the written version — complete with bibliography and source links — is available on my blog.
Just look for "The Italian Tales", and when YouTube allows me I'll drop links too!



SOURCES
Lettera di Iacomo, Giovanni, Vincenti e altri compagni da Siena a Iachomo Guidi Chaciaconti, in Francia . In Paoli, C. (Ed.), Lettere volgari del secolo XIII scritte da senesi (pp. 13–24). Gaetano Romagnoli.
Balestracci, D. (2019). La battaglia di Montaperti. Editori Laterza.
Montauri, P. di T. (Attributed). (n.d.). Cronaca senese. As cited in Balestracci, D. (2019, p. 72).
Pispisa. (n.d.). Il Regno di Manfredi (p. 11). As cited in Balestracci, D. (2019, p. 35).
Villani, G. (1991). Nuova Cronica (G. Porta, Ed.). Fondazione Pietro Bembo/Guanda.

CREDITS

Music:
"Ancient Wind" by Noru from Pixabay
"Epic Way" by Magnetic_Trailer from Pixabay
"Floralia" by theromancrow from Pixabay
"Medieval Settlemetn" by Sergii Pavkin from Pixabay
"The Battle of Coalitions" by Peter Barbaix from Pixabay
"Anxious March - Full"by LiteSaturation from Pixabay
"Sad Dramatic Trailer" by Roman Senyk from Pixabay


Effects:
"Medieval Music" by Själ, on Hunehals Borg, from Pixabay
"Brutal Battle" by Marcus Vogt from Pixabay
"Sword Thud" Sound Effect from Pixabay

Images:
The images shown, unless otherwise specified, are in the public domain or from my personal archive.
The illustrations were made with the help of LeonardoAI and based on public domain images or personal drafts. As soon as I have the budget available, I will gladly commission professional illustrators - in the meantime, I do what I can!