75404 w252

mfhhah che xu&ino

p ;

(PSS

Wen c$l At    £>;hrtrAptfV

ABOVE A page from the late-14th-century Croniche del Codice Lucchese by Sercambi, showing militia rooting out bandits.

BELOW Another page from the Croniche del Codice Lucchese, detailing the erection of field-fortifications outside Ineba. (Archivio di Stato, Lucca)

15 and 35 were sup-posed to practise. In 1349 the Genoese governmem established an extensive training area outside the 01ivella Gate, to be known as the 'term de areubus'. During the crisis of 1354 Florence insisted on mili-tiamen practising regularly, with a decorated cross-bow being given to the champion marksman: also, in both city and contado, religious feast days were often marked by shooting competitions.

ON CAMPAIGN

be command structure of communal armies difTered from that of feudal forces. In the latter authorin was nsually based upon age and social status. In communal forces command was morę varied, and although members of the aristocracy nsually still held positions of authority, this reflected their experience and military reputation rather than mere noble status. Strategie decisions were madę by those who ruled the city, though such men were nsually aware of their limited military knowledge and so clelegated iinmediate command to a professional. The latter tended to be ‘fbreigners’: the idea was that as

outsiders they were above factionalism, which was a characteristic feature of Italian cities of this period. For example, on campaign the Florentine Podesta was assisted by a council of twehe captains, two from each sesto (or city-quarter). He was also permitted to strike disobedient men -a great privilege at a time when personal affront and injury could lead to an immediate vendetta. The Podesta was not supposed to take part in the fighting though: instead he directed operations from behind the linę.

By the second half of the 13th century most Italian

32