Castruccio Castracani degli Antelminelli, duca di Lucca

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-http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/castruccio-castracani/
-https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castruccio_Castracani

Biography of Castruccio Castracani degli Antelminelli (1281-1328)

Politician and Italian military born in Lucca in 1281 and died September 3, 1328 in the strength dell' his hometown Augusta. Lord of Lucca, was one of the most important figures of Italian politics in the first half of the trecento, highlighting on the military by their victories against Florence and politically by its eagerness to make Tuscany a single State.

Son of Gerio Castracani and Puccia degli Streghi, belonged to the lineage of the Antelminelli, surname which only began to use Castruccio when it agreed to the signoria. His family was addicted to the town side and in 1300 was forced to flee Italy, after the assassination of Obizo degli Obizi, the Guelph faction, which provoked the Antelminelli were declared outlaws. Castruccio was established in England, where he/she became famous for his handling of the weapons, to win the sympathy of the King Eduardo II. He/She fled the country after killing a nobleman of the Court for reasons of honor and stood in France, where he/she spent in the service of King Felipe IV, distinguishing itself as Commander of the cavalry in the battle of Arras and participating in the defense of Thérouanne.

He returned to Italy in 1304 to combat against the Guelphs in Lombardy, Veneto and Istria. He/She joined the Ghibelline troop of Uguccione della Faggiuola, which participated in the conquest and subsequent sacking of Lucca, which meant the Elimination of the Guelph party of city in 1314. In 1315 he/she fought under the command of one of the parts of the town army, at the battle of Montecatini, resulting in one of the main architects of the victory against the League Guelfa. His prestige rose envy of Uguccione, who saw it as a hindrance to the lordship of Lucca and he/she did jail. His imprisonment sparked an uprising of the people who freed him and proclaimed him capitano generale and defender of the city (1316). Then to his installation as Lord of Lucca (1320), surrounded by the popular clamor, was simple. From this position of power, Castruccio became one of the arbiters of the politics of Tuscany.

In 1320 he/she was appointed imperial vicar for Lucca and Valdinievole Lunigiana by still-King of Romanos Federico III. After having put under his command to the Ghibelline cities, Castruccio maintained several wars against Florence, that, thanks to its political and diplomatic skill always remained under the threat of Lucca, coming to conquer vast areas of Tuscany and Liguria, including the cities of Volterra, Pistoia and Lunigiana. The complete victory came at the battle of Altopascio (September 22, 1325), which meant the total destruction of the Florentine army and whose victory was celebrated in Lucca with great pomp. A year earlier, Castruccio was confirmed in his post as Vicar by Luis the Bavarian Emperor and had to abandon the siege of Florence when he/she received a summons to Rome for the coronation of his friend, the Emperor, which had participated in the conquest of Pisa, which earned him excommunication by the Pope Juan XXII (twicein 1324 and 1328). In Rome he/she received the recognition of the people who considered him the most feared character of the time, and obtained from the Emperor the title of Duke of Lucca and Pistoia (1327), with the right of inheritance for their children. Then he/she came to Rome the news of the insurrection of Pistoia. With the permission of Luis IV, Castruccio went galloping towards Lucca, where expect you a special Corps of 2000 ballesteros, that was launched against the walls of Pistoia. After a short siege, he/she retook the city, but during the campaign he/she contracted a fever, which led him to death in a short time, when he/she was preparing the final encounter against Florence.

His life inspired Nicolás Machiavelli la Vita di Castruccio Castracani da Lucca, who immortalized him, presenting him as the perfect Prince. He/She was the Builder of the Palace dell'Augusta and their Principality disappeared with him. Man of his time, wanted to be religiously buried with the Franciscan habit in the Temple of the Holy one of Lucca.

https://thebiography.us/en/castracani-degli-antelminelli-castruccio