On this day, the Sicilian people rose up against their French overlords in a bloodbath that lasted six weeks, known as “The Sicilian Vespers”. Subjugated, exploited, and utterly despised by the French since Charles of Anjou’s invasion in 1266, things came to a head on Easter Monday, just prior to evening vespers, when a deadly riot broke out in Palermo and quickly spread to the whole island. Four thousand French men, women and children were butchered during the revolt and anyone claiming not to be French was made to say “ciciri” (chickpeas; pron: cheecheeree) – a word which French tongues had difficulty pronouncing. It was the start of a twenty-year war of competing dynastic claims to the throne of Sicily, finally resolved by the Peace of Caltabellotta on 19th August 1302.
Puoi trovare altre brevi notizie storiche QUI
Your comments are always very welcome.
Ingliando 