Tortona (Derthona, in latin, and Terdona, in medieval Italian)  was the first italian free city  (Libero Comune) to refuse the german imperial authority and to diclare its freedom.  In  1154 Frederick Hoenstaufen, called “Red Beard”, “Barbarossa”, King of Germany and newly elected Emperor came in Italy and  convened an Imperial council in Roncaglia, inviting all italian Lords and cities. Pavia, who was an imperial supporter, accused Tortona of misbehaving and of having usurped imperial right. The accuse was  faulse, but Tortona was sentenced to pay an enormous fee. Tortona was considered hostile to Emperor as being the most faithfull allied of Milan. The city refused to obey to imperial order and proclaimed its indipendence from Fredrick’s power. In february, the 14th imperial army, reinforced by italian alley from  Pavia and Novara and from mercenary band under Count Guido di Biandrate arrived suddenly under the Tortona’s walls.. The town  was divided into two parts: the lower, called “Borgo”, on the plan, was poorly defended, but the higher part, on the hill, nowaday called “Castello”, was strongly sorrounded by roman fortification. Tortona civic army was helped by a milanese force, also many women and citizen not able to fight were able to fly away on the sorrounding hills. The siege started, terrible. In a couple of day the lower city was taken by imperial forces, but , in spite to the bloody attacks to the main fortification “Torre rossa”, that closed the way to the high town, Tortona didn’t fall. For three months imperials tried to take the town, without success, neither using terrible siege machine , like mangonet and trebouchet. Even digging under the fortified towers was useless as Tortona’s defenders heard the imperials and were able to stop them. At the end only the lack of water, due to a dry spring, drove the city to surrender. Tortona citizen and men at arms were obliged to leave the city but saved their lifes, but the city was sacked and burned . But not all was lost. After one year Tortona was rebuilt again, with the help of Milan.

As it was the first call for freedom from an Italian city, the Siege of Tortona was celebrated during the XIX , the century of “Risorgimento” and of indipendence of Italy from Austria. Many writers produced novels and even plays about it. We can remember Carlo Varese , with his “Folchetto Malaspina”, translated even in English, Niccolò Tommaseo, one of the fathers of modern italian language, and Silvio Pellico, who wrote the drama “Lionello da Derthona”.

In june the 15th will be played the first reenactment of the “Siege of Tortona”, with  over 70 men at arms,  bowmen, siege machine horses and so on. It will take place in the same place were was the old fortified city, that nowadays is a beautifull park.
This event is supported by Comune di Tortona,  and is organized by Compagnia Flos et Leo. Compagnia Flos et Leo is a reenactment association that studies medieval warfare and is able to reenact medieval fights, battles, bowmen, camp and even siege machines.

For further informations please write to info@assedioditortona.it or info@flosetleo.org