Page 92 - Mediterraneo e dintorni - 2-2020

no, le schegge volarono per aria, vendicatrice dei cavalieri italiani,
con violenza, ma tutti resistettero cadde a terra disorientato tra la
gagliardamente. Si mise allora polvere del campo. Egli si rialzò
mano alla spada, e la pugna di- subito e continuò a combattere
venne più terribile. Sette francesi con lo spiedone, ma venne tosto
fecero impeto su cinque italiani ferito mortalmente. Il combatti-
e con varia fortuna si pugnò per mento continuò violentissimo e
oltre un’ora. Due italiani furono senza sosta. Miale di Troia ebbe
scavalcati e dati di mano gli spie- la gamba trapassata da un colpo
doni, che erano stati messi appo- di stocco ma continuò a combat-
sitamente sul campo, tornarono a tere con un troncone di lancia.
combattere con maggiore vigore. Martellin de Sambris e François
Due francesi intanto erano stati de Pises, rovesciati da cavallo,
schiacciati dal campo, un altro caddero a terra e dovettero ar-
con una stoccata moriva. Gra- rendersi. Intanto Mariano Abi-
ian d’Asti, il traditore, sul quale gnente veniva ferito alla coscia
si era concentrata la prima furia ma continuò a combattere. An-
Stemmi italiani

fonti quel velo era di colore cele-
ste (azzurro Ischia) e sarebbe sta- Ettore Fieramosca
to indossato dai cavalieri italiani
in omaggi a Isabella di Castiglia,
regina di Spagna. Tenevano die-
tro altrettanti gentiluomini che
portavano gli elmetti e le lance.
Anche i francesi si diressero ver-
so il campo e portavano grandi
sai cremisi di broccato d’oro.
Poco dopo gli uni e gli altri entra-
rono nel campo chiuso da un’im-
mensa folla. Smontarono da
cavallo e prostratisi pregarono
brevemente. Rimontati a cavallo
si scambiarono il saluto, misero
le lance in resta ed al terzo suono
di tromba si scagliarono furiosa-
mente l’uno contro l’altro. L’urto
fu terribile: le lance si spezzaro-

champions against thirteen of the French. Accepted the challenge, The collision was terrible: the spears broke, the splinters flew throu-
with the rules and chivalrous customs of the time, it took place at gh the air, violently, but everyone resisted vigorously. The sades were
5 pm on February 13 of the year 1503 and took place in the neutral then used and the clash became more terrible. Seven Frenchmen
field, belonging to the Republic of Venice, between Andria and Co- surged out of five Italians and with varying luck fought for over an
rato. The thirteen knights were chosen by Prince Prospero Colonna hour. But the victory was finally declared for the Italians: the Fren-
among the most talented men of arms and from almost every pro- ch, battered and plagued, left in a few and badly left, realizing their
vince of Italy who were among his troops; and this task carried out conditions, threw down their arms and surrendered. The French
with great difficulty since all the Italian Knights present among his knights themselves first recognized that they had been loyally beaten
ranks would have liked to fight French arrogance and haughtiness. by the Italian champions. The French defeat was met with incredible
Ettore Fieramosca was elected as their captain. It was late afternoon enthusiasm and circulated throughout the Courts of Europe! Ha-
when the Italian champions made their way to the Challenge camp ving beaten the French precisely on their favorite terrain, of which
in a solemn procession. The French also made their way to the camp. they boasted - the Cavalry with its rules - gave more than a pleasure
Soon after, both entered the field closed by an immense crowd. They to the Renaissance courts of the time. Therefore the event of Barletta
dismounted and prostrated themselves briefly prayed. Reassembled was acknowledged with surprise but with immense satisfaction. The
on horseback, they exchanged greetings, put their spears in rest and valiant winners saved on that day what remained of the homeland
at the third sound of trumpet, they hurled furiously at each other. and the reputation of the ancient Italic value, constituting a symbo-

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